LIMINAL - A Video Essay On Liminal Space

My experience in liminal space.
Kinda a video essay, kinda a documentary.
Thanks for watching.
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Follow me!!
Insta: @bydanielfelix
Twitter : @bydanielfelix
Email me at [e-mail]
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Thanks to my wonderful friends and teachers for your help:
Nina Navazio
Jordan Griffenberg
Gabrielle Felix
Sean O'Grady
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Music:
Excuse - C418
i will perhaps never meet you in person - C418
c418.org/
(songs purchased)
Home Song - Ross Bugden
Almond Blossom - Ross Bugden
/ @rossbugden
Very Low Note - Kevin MacLeod
incompetech.filmmusic.io/song...
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The video that started it all (by SolarSands):
• Liminal Spaces (Explor...
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Hito Steyerl - In Defense of the Poor Image:
www.e-flux.com/journal/10/613...
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All images used are photographed by me or already posted like hell all over the internet and google images.
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Videos Referenced:
Intro the Backrooms: • INTO THE BACKROOMS
Backrooms Video Game: • Video
strangely familiar pictures with unnerving music: • strangely familiar pla...
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Chapters
00:00 Intro
02:36 Defining Liminal Space
06:34 Liminal Photography
09:21 My Experience
13:51 Photo Series
15:05 Outro
16:16 Credits

[@JGriffen]

Its breathtaking to see the beginning of true artist. You can feel the passion behind every decision. Im so excited to see where you go in the future. Great work dan!

[@2000joeyestevez]

🤓☝

[@larularae2106]

This is honestly one of the most interesting subjects I've ever seen, I think I might try getting into photography, and specifically some of this kind of stuff, Liminal Spaces Hell, my street is a great example, from 10PM to 3AM it's eerie, dimly lit, and brings some of this emotion immediately.

[@middleofnowhere1313]

I always wanted to do urban exploration and get photos of such places. But I'm afraid of getting arrested or attacked... So i look at others'pix.

[@borntoclimb7116]

Agree

[@WindowsDrawer]

Yeah i defeintely have some spots in my city i could photograph unfortunately i have school and it's winter (but little snow) so everything looks ugly

[@JacobGrim]

"Hey, you guys can't be filming in here!" -Karen

[@byDanielFelix]

f

[@berrytofu9559]

F

[@growingup15]

I never understood why Mall cops be like YOU CANT FILM HERE! like Bruh this place is empty why cant we?

[@uiopuiop3472]

F

[@nicotinecnts]

F

[@wolfcub0545]

I have heard that definition of liminal spaces from so many people now. It's one of those things that's never really written down anywhere, but once someone tells you the 'definition' "A transitional space that implies people and imposes a feeling of isolation on the viewer." You read the definition, and just... know. That it's correct. It's like you were searching for the feeling you were looking for and it just all clicks into place once you hear it for the first time. This is highly underrated. Even if you don't do any youtube stuff in the future, im excited for what your photography career holds. A professional Liminal Space Photographer sounds... absolutely fantastic.

[@theren8311]

Except it has nothing to do with isolation and everything to do with transitional. The idea that liminal space implies emptiness is a fallacy. It's just by coincidence that the "cool" liminal spaces are empty. Keep in mind you can also be in a space filled with people and it still feel alone. A great example of a liminal space is an airport or grand central station.

[@matty_daddy]

Wow that was good. I noticed there’s a similarity with liminal spaces and “dreamlike” worlds. Dreams are always at least a little bit interesting, and usually reflect our memories.

[@Humancatpost]

Wow I’m here before something crazy good gets big, this is new. Love the photos and explanation, keep up the great work!!

[@JasonandaCamera]

Insane. You somehow managed to make something beautiful out of what could easily be perceived as exclusively dreadful, dark, gloomy, and depressing. I’ve had many liminal experiences throughout my life, but only in the last few months have I been able to actually label them as so and begin to understand them, thanks to the sudden surge in discussion around the topic across the internet and videos like yours. Seriously, well done. Your shots are gorgeous… and if you haven’t already you should post them in the liminal spaces subreddit, they would love it. Would you ever consider making more videos on liminality? I think there’s so much to explore. I’m particularly fascinated by the fact that liminal experiences can be felt by other mediums such as music and sounds, not just images. For example, there are certain soundtracks that play during the pause menu in a video game, and I would find myself in an almost hypnotic state as I pause the game and just sit there, listening. Thinking about nothing in particular. One in particular is the music that plays when you pause Assassins Creed: Black Flag, a favorite game of mine. Another is the music from the Resident Evil games that plays during the save rooms, games I’ve never played yet still feel connected to via that music. Really intriguing stuff!!

[@ClarkElieson]

LET'S FREAKING GOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Strumbled across this and let me just say well done! I'm putting this on the end screen for my video. Best of luck to ya EDIT: looks like that helped :)

[@byDanielFelix]

thank you so much!! I remember watching your video along with solarsands and a few others when I first found out about this subject, this means a lot!

[@byDanielFelix]

edit: it definitely did lol, I'm in the algorithm too now! can't thank you enough my man

[@middleofnowhere1313]

This is how i find cool channels to follow.

[@bringinthedope5929]

Lol the humble flex, i see you Clark!

[@RBYW1234]

@@byDanielFelix 13:00 - I like the Security Entity you caught. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJO9ZYt9gKh1nJY

[@savannahlevy97]

I'm so happy to see the liminal spaces becoming a popular topic among artists. It was one of those things I was very aware of especially as a quiet, observant child who traveled a lot, but I never new the word for or if it was a shared experience/feeling. Now it feels like the unexplained quiet, lonesome but calm feelings I had as a kid have some kind of closure

[@V0ID_X5]

𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 is how you do a video. This was so well made, and your narration was pure perfection! If I was a teacher grading this- I’d give it an A+

[@byDanielFelix]

thanks so much!!

[@KoalaProductions]

This is THE BEST video I have seen on liminal space

[@the_bacon37]

holy dude I’m like 2 minutes in and this already feels like it’s got more detail than a Netflix documentary… you definitely deserve more subs and attention

[@JasonArcherPhoto]

You might enjoy the work of Ericka Sobrack. She's a painter in central Florida specializing in night scenes that have an intense liminal feel to them. The scenes she paints are typically of small residences, or a suburban street at night. Her work has a nostalgic feel while being a touch eerie. I grew up in the area she's using as the subject for her paintings and before I recognized the Florida look before I even knew that's what she was painting. She's very good.

[@Felix-pi9gf]

This video, specifically, is my favourite one on the entire platform on liminality. It really brings EXACTLY what it is meant to be to the table. Thank you, you're a hero to the community.

[@dapper827]

this whole video is such a masterpiece. the photos, the art, the everything. Your photos are amazing. :)

[@Sea_Car]

I feel so lucky to have stumbled upon this channel so early in your career, your video format is absolutely beautiful and your choices of composition are stellar. I've been studying liminal spaces for what feels like ages now, and eventually I hit an impasse. But you've inspired me to keep the search alive and find the reasons behind why liminal spaces affect us the way they do.

[@altra8911]

Very rarely do i ever see content of any sorts involve C418's outher work besides Minecraft. Its all so underappreciated, huge props to you for doing that, and great documentary, people like you inspire me.

[@brandonmiles8174]

This is a great video on liminal space, I really enjoy your photos. This is an important topic for me, coming from outside of photography, as liminal space in photography documents society in its transition, a social fabric in limbo, so to speak, and is the visual representation of who is, to me, and a few others, one of the most important thinkers of the recent era - Mark Fisher. With concepts such as capitalist realism, lost futures and hauntology, Mark's body of work is the written form of documenting liminal space, in so many ways. As someone who is doing their thesis on liminal space, I would very much encourage you to go check out his two works, neither of which are very long, Capitalist Realism and Ghosts of My Life. They are two entirely different styles of writing, and somehow both manage to encapsulate this transition that we find ourselves in today. One of crumbling infrastructure and closed up businesses; one of alienation and cultural stagnation, which also are throughly represented in liminal spaces. Keep up the good work.

[@byDanielFelix]

This is such an awesome comment, I would absolutely love to read into the deep literature that surrounds liminal space. I'll be checking out both of those works for sure. I truly think liminal space is severely underutilized as a way to look into all of these topics that it captures. Thank you, and good luck on your thesis! This was my thesis project as a photo student, if you ever need anything liminal or not, feel free to message me however you can.

[@fivenightsatfreddyssecurit4039]

Just imagine being a teacher seeing a essay video done so well. I would gave you an A+

[@ezrameraz-lerma6604]

had to rewatch. I love these liminal video essays. I rewatch them every few months almost ritualistically LOL

[@5FiveDollarFilms]

I am currently writing a research paper on Liminal Spaces photography etc., and I think that this is the most helpful mental information I could every receive on such a subject.

[@lisar4764]

I have always thought about these kinds of things, I thought It was just me. The poor quality pictures remind me of someone with perhaps dementia having a distant memory, or they can't quite figure out how they got there. I'm also intrigued with images that have a contrast. such as an abandoned mall. A place that once brought joy and now has that uncomfortable surreal quality to it.

[@Desk-O-lorido]

liminal spaces is the only thing that makes me go outside with a car an a camera (If only I had a car and a camera)

[@jackdanny2371]

I've seen this video and Solar Sand's several times and I'm just fascinated everytime I see them. But yours def is inspiring me into taking up photography. I'm gonna do it. Thank you for serving as inspiration into this step I'm about to take.

[@shuichitakahashi4594]

this video seriously moved me to tears. liminal spaces have been pretty close to me for a long time since the movement started because it evoked a sense of nostalgia and memories i didn't know existed. your video explained it perfectly and i think you deserve so much more. i hope you and this beautiful art goes further in the future.

[@manoskor1979]

Great work! This is one of the best liminal spaces videos I've ever seen

[@stevechambers9649]

Your definition has helped me tremendously. Thank you

[@ralphenstein9105]

I thoroughly enjoyed this. Been a bit fascinated by liminal spaces recently, and this might be my favourite video on the subject so far. I have to say I was really impressed with your photos. I thought some were beautiful. I was a bit gutted that you got kicked out of those dead malls - would love to see what you could have captured there! I think you nailed the definition of liminal space, as well. Sums it up succinctly to me. Glad you found something you're passionate about. Keep up the good work.

[@bbourrel]

Its always overwhelming to discover that something that you never knew existed except in your mind is actually an incredibly powerful and beautiful concept. Ive been attracted to these types of photographs for years but never knew there was a theory and story behind them. In actual fact, I have always been somewhat embarrassed to admit to anyone my love for this type of work. Thank you for opening my eyes to this. Your video is a treasure to me and I'm sure countless others.

[@byDanielFelix]

Thank you so much, truly. Glad you like this topic as much as I do!

[@junebug9966]

I'm seriously in love with this video. I've had a massive fascination with liminal spaces and you do an amazing job exploring them throughout this essay.

[@Shizaho]

How do you only have 200 subs? This is so good! Great job man.

[@feedingartists]

WOW WHAT A PERFECT DOCUMENTARY

[@seraphimipx2611]

and you should be proud! your shots are spot on! altough knowing it before but not being able to express it with the correct term i am like you hooked on liminal spaces! i kind of disagree on the notion of it being tied to the past as much. i see it more as the uncanny, the absence of life though designed by life instead of nature. liminal is more of a state of transition made for a purpose but lacking purpose on it’s own… for that it doesn’t necessarily have to be connected to the past for me, although it makes sense of course. i am a 3d artist and i am playing around with virtual liminal spaces since i can now somehow express my thoughts better… it is… a fascinating journey i have just started too. thank you for your inspiration! cheers man!

[@byDanielFelix]

I totally agree! Not all transitional or liminal spaces are tied to the past, although a good amount of the popular images online are. I've shot a good amount of them recently. Thanks so much for watching!

[@seraphimipx2611]

@@byDanielFelix can’t wait for more. atm my workload is pretty high but when i have time i would love to play around with some of your images and create something with them in 3D space. not to dimish or improve your work just because the pictures are very inspiring. if you have no problem with it, of course. really don’t want to distort your vision, your art and naturally i don’t intend to make money with it :) haha.

[@subice2158]

Absolutely loved this video. Seeing you talk about parts of your project makes me want to go back to my hometown and capture that surreal yet familiar feeling of the spaces there.

[@kon2175]

This is so wonderful! I’m a little late but I’m so glad I got the chance to see your growth from the beginning, and I loved how you mentioned different artists and exposed their work to us! Liminal spaces have always been close to my heart as well, and your work perfectly conveys every single obscure emotion I feel whenever I look at them. Thank you so much for this, I hope this comment makes the algorithm show your videos to others more!

[@byDanielFelix]

Thank you so much!!

[@auri8810]

the pictures you took are some of the best liminal space photos i've ever seen, great job!

[@byDanielFelix]

appreciate the comments so much, thank you!!!

[@FadedDaWolfgaming]

This video made me cry, not out of sadness, but from a artist who i see has true passion for spaces like these, the pictures made me cry from just how well you captured a liminal space, making it nostalgic in every way Thank you

[@undersc0r]

Ngl I thought this was gonna be a cringy video at first but it turned out to be way better than I expected

[@retromacman620]

Excellent work man! Liminal Spaces is one of my favorite internet phenomena. I've made a couple videos on it and I plan to do more, but I can really see the effort and work put into this. I hope you plan on making more videos!

[@byDanielFelix]

I certainly do plan to, although regularity in my uploads will definitely not happen for at least a while 😅 thank you so much for your kind words!!

[@BalterBlack]

Wish i could like this video a million times!!! Truly a great presentation of the strange and spacious subject of liminal spaces. And also the photography in the end is different from the overused not thought about bad quality, washed out pictures of hallways or just regular buildings that get flagged as liminal. The photos are what I would call true liminal spaces. Great work, you’ve earned another subscriber and a fan!

[@byDanielFelix]

thank you so much!!

[@tommuller7216]

This vid was amazing!! Thank you so much for your effort I really liked the way you approached the topic :)

[@Alt3R]

I love this. I know it's a simple phrase, but it's the only one I can think to say about it. It's such a raw and pure subject matter, and the way you've presented it in this video makes me want to get into liminal photography myself. I live for this sort of thing!

[@cheshirerogue4936]

I know I'm a little late but this was so beautifully written I rewatched it. Your photography is so good! It's great to see someone make such a beautiful explanation about things that are nearly impossible to explain.

[@tedstudt8550]

Wow. Just.. wow. I might have to get back into photography. I had tried my hand at it a few times before, but your experience regarding liminal space speaks to me on a far deeper level. It's a lens into the artist's life and their experiences that is, I think, very revealing and intimate. Really cool subject man, thank you for making this!

[@byDanielFelix]

Thank you so much, love this comment! I wish you luck in photography

[@russell6clacks]

dan, I watched your video essay after the Solar Sands one and one other video that talked about liminal spaces in video games. This is a wonderfully shot and edited video. It is by far my favourite, and seeing the end results of your trips perfectly encapsulates the 'feel' or I guess 'aesthetics'(?) of liminal spaces you see posted online. Perhaps it's your connection to spaces that allows you to truly capture that feeling? I don't know, but whatever it is, you have it. Excellent work - keep going!

[@byDanielFelix]

thank you so much!

[@SharkCat-yj8vl]

I really really want to explore a liminal dream world (strictly all alone). I find myself going back to this desire when things get tough and I don't want to die but rather exist all alone, exploring dream-like liminal world that will never exist.

[@KILLERHACKER999]

Suggestive and emotional. I really loved it, thank you so much for sharing your creations with the world.

[@Thomas1965K]

Thank you for expressing in words what I have felt for so long

[@doomrevolver8387]

5:45 beautiful sentence. Also amazing work on this essay.

[@gickylia6853]

its good to see someone who is also passionate about liminal space.

[@designmrcs]

this is exactly what i was looking for, amazing work

[@byDanielFelix]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@sarahquiles1832]

Absolutely breathtaking

[@Nikola-yz6gd]

Im very glad i finally found people who have the same feeling like me about liminal spaces, video was nice and the nicest of all is that u used c418 music

[@amelielovesboygenius]

this is really such a great video :) thank you for the effort and the detail put into it!

[@dylanking9646]

2:36 HUGE W for the RE7 safe room music, such a banger

[@tuxedobandito7062]

This is sick! Something I'd expect from a 2mil+ channel. Great work!

[@yourMoonstone]

This is so good. Great photography! It's inspirational

[@donniewalters00]

i love liminal space dream / dream core. i love the unexplainable feelings i get from these. and i love to see that others are interested in it and make videos on it.

[@janisbaumrucker3431]

Between what was and what's next. Beautiful.

[@KylerSteele]

This is perfect man. Loved the story telling

[@antoinycalvin3685]

Hi, your videos are a great help for my current college project. Before this I have been looking for a suitable theme to summarize all my creations, and now I have clarity. I love your analysis of the emerging artistic concept of liminal space, which gives me a clear direction for my upcoming creative journey. I don't know if you will continue to create and research in this area in the future. I look forward to your future works. Finally, thank you and this video, it means a lot to me! (an art student from China)

[@jackkarski4082]

Well done mate - this is great. Keep on with the photography as well - some beautiful stuff. Really inspiring.

[@byDanielFelix]

I really appreciate it, thank you!

[@threedicksonabench3141]

Absolutely love this video! The tone is perfect and I was interested the whole time! You explained things so well.

[@threedicksonabench3141]

Also holy crap! I love your story! It’s very inspiring.

[@threedicksonabench3141]

And that ending was beautiful!

[@fourleafclover3745]

the photos u took r amazing!

[@brianas444]

This is incredibly comforting and satisfyingly creepy all at once. It almost answers the long held question of deja vu leaving me with an empty feeling of “what do I wonder about now?” Amazing job 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I’m a portrait artist often finding myself with the task of painting peoples passed on loved ones. I now want to remove the subjects completely, painting only the cozy settings where my subjects once existed. 🤔 YOU, my friend, have crafted something extra inspirational!

[@byDanielFelix]

Thank you so much! I have so much respect and admiration for the space your art lives in, it's so fascinating. I truly think that a picture of the space someone lives in will tell you so much more about them than a portrait (that's not to talk down portraits at all haha). I would definitely be interested in a capture of a space of someone who's passed on.

[@hughmungas2883]

really well put together, well done man

[@naxuuu2179]

I just NEED more content like this

[@GrevRev]

Beautifully conveyed! Well done! I first heard of liminal spaces as I was writing my thesis (sociology) on haunted houses a few years ago. Dennis Waskul, a professor of sociology, wrote a book called "Ghostly Encounters" where he tells about his interviews with people who have different experiences of a haunting. The interesting thing (and I think he is referring to another study on this) is that most people who report experiencing a haunting say it occured in a liminal space, like a staircase, corridor, window, between doors. I too have encountered the same in my work doing intervews and field studies in haunted places. I just today realized there was a whole movement around liminal space as a concept, and I am deeply fascinated. I understand that liminal space does not necessarily have anything to do with the supernatural, but ghosts are interesting in that they are liminal entities. Regardless of how you look at them (as folklore, fantasy, real or not). I have sometimes wondered if some reports of ghosts, are actually the manifestation or embodiment of that particular feeling one get from experiencing liminal space. It is like a holistic, profound, yet indeterminate sensation. A sudden, almost overwhelming and often surprising experience of reality. I am touched by the beauty of the sincere fascination people have that draw them to this, and how some are able to reproduce or convey this experience, like the creator of anemoiapolis and like you do with your photography. I think there is a lot to be said about the captivating and slightly eerie qualities of liminal space. The sudden realization of our entanglement with our surroundings is of great importance in many ways.

[@byDanielFelix]

Beautifully said. I've been loving all of the different topics that branch from liminality, and the study of haunted places is both unexpected and extremely fascinating. Thank you so much for your kind words!

[@UliTroyo]

What a great essay! Yep, that Solar Sands video really started something. I love this side of the internet. Hope this video continues to blow up.

[@byDanielFelix]

he sure did. hoping that one day he sees this. thanks so much!

[@CarlosRodela]

thanks for turning me on to register - one of his paintings is now my wallpaper

[@CarlosRodela]

and also awesome liminal pics!

[@borntoclimb7116]

Such a amazing work

[@wrenbird8352]

this was such a great video on LIMINAL spaces! i like you photography and exposed me to so much other good art. had to take notes for this video, so i can study it.

[@byDanielFelix]

note-taking is a huge compliment lol, thanks for watching!

[@robit7124]

Breathtaking video. I enjoyed every second of it.

[@artbybaz7060]

loved this so so much. Thank you

[@andyzhang7890]

Thank you for this beautiful video. Your photos are breathtaking btw. Earlier in February, I was actually planning on photographing a local supermarket that felt extremely liminal to me, but I was a little horrified to find that it had closed. A grocery store that I had been visiting since I was 4, had closed for a month without me even knowing. Turns out that that particular location was the last of its type in not only in Ontario, but all of Canada, as the other branches had slowly closed down over the decade.

[@stefanolassandro886]

Truly wonderful video!

[@EntehrterKrieger]

You won my subscription, simply beautiful, i love your style, point of view, i love it all

[@byDanielFelix]

thank you :)

[@EntehrterKrieger]

@@byDanielFelix You're welcome buddy 🥴✌

[@urgadurga]

this is fantastic! i really enjoyed it, keep up the great work!

[@SemiNeural]

This is, so well done.

[@auri8810]

this video is so well made, its insane. I can't wait until you blow up.

[@cubeice2811]

Absolutely amazing!

[@daltonhutchinson3556]

I have a feeling this will have a lot more views one day...

[@trentonbuchert7342]

What I like best about liminal space is the sense of mournfulness. Like, imagine yourself in the ruins of an abandoned, even post-apocalyptic, city. You may not know what happened there, but you can feel, and almost see, what happened there. It’s like that thing about staring into the void, I think.

[@anaflaviarg]

i cant believe that im watching this video while reaserching for my final thesis for college and listening to you talk about how this style inspired your artistry and final college thesis, kinda meta lol

[@anaflaviarg]

this video is amazing, i see my current inspirations very much aligned with your experience from 2 year ago inside this aesthetic

[@byDanielFelix]

@@anaflaviarg love to hear it! hope your project will be throughly fulfilling

[@anaflaviarg]

@@byDanielFelix thanks! it is already

[@DesertPunks]

I love finding small channels with really high quality work, cheers bro. Edit: I just finished watching the video. I don't know what the thing is, but you got it!

[@ouvie]

this video is such a masterpiece. you're so underrated. keep it up!

[@byDanielFelix]

Thank you so much!

[@ouvie]

@@byDanielFelix You're welcome :D

[@clarkzy]

I feel like I’ve see Tod Hido referenced sooo much since Jamie Windsor’s video

[@byDanielFelix]

I'm glad Todd Hido is finally getting the recognition he deserves, I studied him many years ago in school and he had a huge impact on my work. Not sure who Jamie Windsor is but I'll check out his video!

[@whatever4561]

idk if its good or bad, but im addicted to both melancholy and liminal spaces. Part of me feels like if i catch just the right feeling in a liminal space, ill just slip through and no cut into a stranger version of the same reality. I think there may even be a connection between liminal space and god or death

[@sviatlanavavilava8270]

Thank you sooo much!

[@Kirbeast]

Great definition on liminal space. There are soo many unique views on liminal space. Nice seeing some new liminal space photos

[@robertspencer1205]

Well Done, Dan! 👍

[@swift_mirror]

I can not describe what I felt while I watched this beautiful.

[@kmgraphic.design]

Very well shot and edited.

[@helltaker5877]

This is a masterpiece

[@gilzineto]

Truly incredible

[@cormacmcrandom6164]

This is art

[@capulus173]

This is really well done. Good job

[@kirbyloverrr7]

This is truly beautiful !!! Words can’t express what I felt while watching. One thing I’m sure of is that this video made me want to start liminal photography.

[@byDanielFelix]

best compliment I can receive. hope to see some of your photos one day!

[@fearhunger3983]

Awesome video. I was always fascinated by the first game as a kid. They gave you just enough freedom to explore the surroundings to raise my curiosity. I think I need to revisit this one now after this video. Also Nickelodeon in general was keen on adding some weird stuff to their shows, so I think the game just played to that. Glad to see none of that was lost in translation.

[@TRFAD]

Nice work. I like your take on this. Keep it up!