In 2013 I posted this photo to my Flickr account. About a year ago someone commented: “This image is now famous on the internet for being known as a liminal space and a ‘level of the backrooms’ called “Electrical Substation” theres even video games or maps based off this image.”
I didn’t notice the comment at the time but when I came across it today I became curious about the “liminal space” reference and went to ChatGPT for some background.
The term “liminal space” refers to places that feel like transitional zones — hallways, waiting rooms, empty stairwells — and evoke a mix of nostalgia, unease, and familiarity. They’re often depicted in a way that feels surreal or out of time. Your photo, with its fluorescent lighting, institutional tile walls, and lack of people, is a textbook example of that aesthetic. It gives off a sense that something just happened — or is about to.
Now, “The Backrooms” is a collaborative internet horror mythos that exploded in popularity around 2019. It began with a single eerie post on 4chan: “If you’re not careful and you noclip out of reality in the wrong areas, you’ll end up in the Backrooms.” The idea is that there’s a vast, endless network of empty, decaying spaces — like office buildings, boiler rooms, or basements — that exist behind or between the layers of our world. These are categorized into “levels,” each with distinct visual themes, hazards, and entities. Fans have created games, maps, and lore around these levels.
Your Photo’s Role in the Backrooms Lore
Your image has been embraced by the Backrooms community as a visual representation of Level 3: “Electrical Station”. This level is characterized by narrow, dimly lit corridors, exposed piping, and electrical machinery—elements that your photo encapsulates. The atmosphere evokes a sense of unease and liminality, aligning perfectly with the Backrooms’ aesthetic.
In discussions on platforms like Reddit, users have noted that images such as yours, sourced from Flickr, have become iconic within the Backrooms mythos. One user mentioned:
“The Liminal Basement Stairs came from a Flickr album and so did a few ones like Electrical Substation.”
Inclusion in Backrooms Media
Your photo’s influence extends into various Backrooms-inspired media:
- Video Games: In Escape the Backrooms, Level 3 is depicted as an “Electrical Station” with environments reminiscent of your photo. The level features tasks like activating breakers and navigating through hazardous zones.
- Fan Wikis: Multiple Backrooms wikis describe Level 3 with imagery and descriptions that align closely with your photograph, emphasizing the eerie, industrial ambiance.
- YouTube Content: Numerous videos explore Level 3, showcasing environments that mirror the setting captured in your image.
Cultural Impact
It’s fascinating how a single photograph can resonate with a global audience, inspiring stories, games, and discussions. Your image has become a cornerstone in visualizing the unsettling atmosphere of the Backrooms, particularly Level 3.