Liminal Experience and Spatial Consumption: The Cultural Practice of Youth in Environmental Theatre

Yu Zhang; JiaYuan Li

doi:10.63313/ah.9052

Authors

Yu Zhang School of Publishing, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200000, China Author
JiaYuan Li School of Publishing, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200000, China Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63313/ah.9052

Keywords:

Environmental Theatre, Liminal Space, Spatial Consumption, Youth Subculture

Abstract

With the rise of the experience economy, environmental theatre, as a new form of cultural consumption space, has become a carrier of "liminal space" for urban youth to escape reality and seek emotional resonance. From the perspective combining liminal theory and spatial consumption, this study explores the liminal experiences and consumption behaviors of young people in environmental theatres through participatory observation, semi-structured interviews, and netnography. It reveals the endogenous dynamics of this cultural industry and the cultural practices of youth participation. The findings are as follows: (1) Environmental theatres construct spatial liminality by reorganizing physical space within urban buildings; by offering audiences liminal experiences, they provide a field for disembedding from reality and self-reinvention within the city. (2) The consumption practices within this culture are driven by a dual logic: "emotional resonance triggers" and "symbolic stamp-collecting psychology." Meanwhile, deeply involved participants construct their identities through high-frequency consumption and engage in symbolic interaction practices on digital platforms, guiding consumption within their circles. (3) Under the influence of the attention economy, environmental theatres increasingly emphasize visual symbols, leading to new shifts in market trends.

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