Becoming liminal – existence in anti-structure.
Becoming liminal – existence in anti-structure.

Author(s): Karolina Żyniewicz
Subject(s): Fine Arts / Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Film / Cinema / Cinematography
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Gdańskiego
Keywords: liminality; liminal lives; bio art; biology; nature; culture
Summary/Abstract: This paper is based both on my empirical experience, related to the implementation of artistic projects in biological laboratories, and on theoretical consideration. It focuses on the cultural and biological meaning of liminality. First, I introduce the idea of liminality derived from anthropology, and more precisely from the theory of the trigeminal structure of ritual as formulated by Arnold van Gennep and developed by Victor Turner. Then, to those anthropological theories pertaining to culture I add the voice of Susan Merill Squier, who draws attention to the fact that technological changes around our corporeality should affect the expansion of liminality and its biological significance. Finally, I refer to her concept of the existence of liminal beings − non-human agents living in the area of the in-between, between any current form of embodiment and a future one. In Squier’s opinion in being humans we become liminal while coexistence with liminal beings can help us to pass this important bio cultural ritual. I would like to post the question: what does this coexistence look like? Can bio art create an opportunity for this coexistence?

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