Using electrically driven liquid-crystal turbulence, we experimentally studied universal fluctuation properties in a type of phase transitions called absorbing-state transitions as well as growth of fluctuating interfaces. For the absorbing-state transitions, we determined an optimal condition for measuring critical behavior in the presence of up-down symmetry. For the growth phenomena, we experimentally or numerically realized the following three cases: (1) outward growth from a circle, (2) inward growth from a circle, (3) growth in two regions of different growth speeds. For each case we measured statistical properties of interface fluctuations. Universality of the results was also studied through comparison with numerical simulations and collaboration with theorists.