Heterotopias: On Other Spaces By Foucault

Heterotopias, as defined by Michel Foucault in his 1967 lecture, “On Other Spaces,” represent fluctuating spaces often linked to time, which can arise out of need for the individual or community, and which cannot be accessed freely. To discern the concept of a heterotopia, one must understand that a standard definition for it does not necessarily exist. The lack of a concrete definition for heterotopia stems from Foucault’s comment, “Our epoch is one in which space takes for us the form of relations among sites” (Foucault 2). The word ‘relation’ signifies that a space can change function or meaning based upon the person accessing it. According to Foucault’s definition, a heterotopia creates a functional space for a person who finds themselves
An example of this that Foucault gives in his 1967 speech, is a mental hospital. Finally, because heterotopias are born out of need they are often only accessible to those who require them. For example, a bathroom hides behind a closed door and in order to access that space you must have a need and then open the door. In order to gain more insight on heterotopias, let us examine your adolescent years. This little slice of time between childhood and adulthood exists in a liminal state. During this epoch one is often caught between the fond childhood memories of playing innocently outside, and one’s dreams of living an adult life. These liminal spaces that you occupied during those years are indicative of heterotopias. Not only do they point to heterotopias, but in some respect those prepubescent years were a heterotopia all to themselves. It occupies a moment in time where that space can only be accessed by young people in that state. Think back and remember the adolescent game of ‘Seven Minutes in Heaven.’ Whether you have first-hand experience of this game or not is irrelevant, what matters is the concept of it. It starts at a party with a group of daring rebellious pre-teens. Then it moves to a group sitting in a circle