OCAD University Open Research Repository

In Between: Dream, Body, and Identity in a Liminal Space

Yan, ZhiZhe (2026) In Between: Dream, Body, and Identity in a Liminal Space. Masters thesis, OCAD University.

Item Type: Thesis
Creators: Yan, ZhiZhe
Abstract:

In Between is a liminal space where I hide from the reality, to dream and to have conversations with myself. Being in between allows me the freedom to feel and to explore the sense of belonging and self-acceptance, to claim myself back from the sense of otherness and body dysphoria caused by the mainstream viewpoints and standards from the environment that I grew up with in China. The idea is inspired by doubts in my existence in this world: why should I be “born to” question myself not fitting into the mainstream and not be “standard” or “normal”? In Between reveals an inner struggle between my physical body and my conscious mind. It intends to seek people unseen in the general public who may resonate with my feelings of identity crisis by creating an imagined scenario, where my identity splits into a group of small characters, from my mind. In sharing this thesis, I hope it becomes a way for people to be seen and find validation in having feelings similar to the way I do.

Date: 1 May 2026
Uncontrolled Keywords: Identity, Liminal Space, Dreamcore, Dream, In Between
Divisions: Graduate Studies > Interdisciplinary Art, Media and Design
Date Deposited: 05 May 2026 14:55
Last Modified: 05 May 2026 14:55
URI: https://openresearch.ocadu.ca/id/eprint/5014

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