Ann Lauterbach and Liminality. Some Examples from her work

Liminality in the Arts (by Lim Le Ann)

"Liminality is derived from ‘limen’, meaning threshold. The concept of the ‘liminal space’ as introduced by anthropologist Victor Turner, suggests the idea of ambiguity and ambivalence. This in-between space should allow active exchanges of ideologies, concepts and methods of working. There is an indication of a transition from one state or space to another, an on-going search for answers, yet the end point might not or need not be defined. Therefore, the ‘liminal space’ might be read as a metaphorical realm where ideas and concepts: artistic, political, cultural, social or otherwise, are in constant states of contestation and negotiation."

1. limen, meaning threshold, This is in-between space should allow active exchanges of ideologies, concepts, methods

“a temporal clerestory evades the threshold
No smears, no red ink

Stairs, halls, doors---
An incitement to blur, to be inconclusive.”
“How Things Bear Their Telling” in Clamor


2. She doesn’t commit, poems and life are open ended:

‘we are kept by the indefinite, aroused.”---“ Lakeview Diner” in Clamor

In Clamor a poem is entitled “Not that it could be Finished”

another poem begins:

“Forget that version”---“Stones” in Hum


3. she changes direction, or scene in the middle of a sentence or a stanza
everything is about to change

See the poem R/Endings” in Hum, in which the last word of every line
rhymes with the first word in the next line, often totally changing, or
erasing the meaning:

“The second hand
lands outside the circle and
demand threatens to usurp the young road rats on the bus
us, all our distractions seem arbitrarily chosen like a form
norm of nostalgia in an indigo drawing: Whistler’s for. The heart’s
art, caged in its gauze, making a poor sound. Gers slip and now
Dow it seems is being help up by so
low many cheats, instantly assembled, not one exactly like another,
others interchangeable. If a part hissed
mist, then it was hissing for goo. We were dangling, inevitably a delay”

4. she is not about certainty, nor sureness

“Drink the apparition.” ---“Instruction,” in Hum

“Blur” and “Dream” are two of her favorite words

5. transition from one state or space to another, on going search for answers

“The dream modifies not you but your hand
across the anomaly
between question and answer

neither to say nor to write betrayals.”
“Topos” in Hum

6. an undefined end point

“He stood up as if to wander.
Cloudy again, distributed thinly, unanimous.
Are you wondering? Are you clear?
The decision omitted its conclusion, obviously:
I crossed only to here, another invitation
Without fruition, and no need for boots, gloves, hat.
When asked if I had written about her
I said no, not exactly. She became wild.”
“Untoward,” in Clamor