02/11/2024
our team has curated a collection of entrances, each a doorway to new worlds and experiences — a practice known as portalling. in narratives, portals are everywhere, from mysterious tunnels to forbidden thresholds, doors that beg the question: should they be opened? fun fact: about 30% of the highest-grossing films include some form of portal.
conducted a significant study on portals in narrative media, analyzing hundreds of cultural artifacts to identify 18 distinct portal archetypes. portals in stories go beyond simple entrances; they serve multiple roles. they reflect the physics of their world — magical like the wardrobe in the chronicles of narnia, technological like the time machine in back to the future, or natural, like black holes. they also divide characters, marking insiders versus outsiders: doctor who navigates portals routinely, while alice in wonderland stumbles upon one by chance.
in cultural storytelling, portals often create social or even class boundaries. think of platform 9¾ in harry potter, accessible only to those of magical heritage. portals also present narrative puzzles — will they remain open? where do they lead? and most importantly, does one have the courage to cross?
in western culture, portals are mainly visual — mirrors, doorways, tunnels. but other traditions incorporate all senses: portals can be voices, music, movement, or even physical sensations like pain. this idea of crossing thresholds, of portalling, even has roots in spiritual practice, symbolizing a mystical journey between realities.
so, imagine if each door in the photo is a portal — which one would you choose? 🌌🚪✨
