Liminality — a term that has pervaded our culture. My generation is obsessed with the concept: leagues of artwork placing subjects in negative space, entire fandoms based around ideas like the Backrooms that clash liminality with worldbuilding. It’s important, and Gen Z has a special connection to this force.
I live in a maximalist environment. NYC is the epitome of maximalism — every culture on Earth growing and spreading their businesses, language, and art in an enclosed radius. Like a bucket full of competing fungi, the constant clash of cultures, combined with 200-year-old infrastructure that rarely gets cleaned, brings forth a lot to see. On top of this, as the center of Western capitalism, our foliage is advertising — leaves of letters penetrating our senses, trying to start a domino effect that results in my hand forfeiting cash.
People who haven’t been to the city might not realize the sheer amount of advertising and visual noise. Every street corner is covered in stickers and flyers promoting something. Public transit, which I pay for per use and with taxes, is filled with ads for private companies.
I would describe myself as a maximalism enjoyer — my art clearly reflects that. I have a noisy brain. But I do believe there’s a limit to how much visual noise a person can take in. I’m always observing my surroundings, trying to draw artistic inspiration from the textures around me. That curiosity led me to city photography. I found my eyes consistently drifting toward the “in-between spaces” in the city. Most of my photos are liminal, or liminal-adjacent — lacking a clear subject or placing the subject in isolation, surrounded by the noise of society. My idea of beauty is ironically the opposite of what companies and capitalists want me to focus on. I think that’s important. In a world full of capitalists screaming at us from ornate storefronts, I choose to reflect on the beauty of the dumpster out back.
New Jersey is the most liminal place I’ve encountered. I visited a friend there during a time of personal mental turmoil. Situated between NYC and Philadelphia, the state’s economy is centered around shipping and storage — it’s basically a big warehouse (sorry New Jersey residents, but it’s the truth). It feels like its culture and identity are constantly being pulled and stretched by the gravitational force of its neighboring cities. While there, I also went to an Indian banquet hosted by my friend’s family — just a week after I may have accidentally appropriated Hindi culture in a piece I made (see my first blog post). So there was a mix of humor and reflection in the experience. Also, great people and food.
Liminality isn’t just a term for the discarded parts of our society. It’s a powerful force — one that lives on the bottom of capitalism’s shoe. It shouldn’t just be appreciated. It should be maintained and respected for the meaning it carries.
Elevated 1 train, taken near west 125th st manhattanville.
FOREST IN MANHATTAN!?!?!?! Yeah its called Inwood Hill Park and its the best.
At least 7 intersecting layers of infrastructure, there’s so much depth in everything if you just peer down the right alleys.
Backside of brownstones in Washington Heights
Columbia University preparing for graduation but everything they do is aesthetically dystopian because well-
Empty courtyard captured through a castle window – Met Cloisters, Fort Tryon Park
Blue and red bustle captured In Midtown Manhattan
Somewhere in Midtown
Textures in East Williamsburg/Bushwick