Zippociety

The inspiration for this project came while making absurd variations of my original Zippo 3D model, the idea came to mind after making a version locked by two hinges while having multiple instances of its counterpart, coverless Zippos.

Zippociety is a 3D digital production work exploiting the creative potential of the medium to transform mundane objects, in this case Zippo lighters, and turning them into subjects of a reflection over society, hierarchy, beliefs, sacrifice and purpose. The project raises questions about these themes and exploitation/manipulation in society by presenting a group of Zippos bowing down and offering their covers to a larger entity, a double hinged counterpart.

The scene presents the absurdity of blind or nonsensical devotion, functional lighters offering their covers, thus sacrificing their functionality/purpose, to a “greater” entity, locked by its cover with hinges on both sides, rendering it useless. Following the theme of the project, the one-sided ritual uses lighters to bring reflection on individuals devoting themselves to something that ultimately brings them nothing.

Ultimately, Zippociety exploits the possibilities of digital 3D production to invite its viewers to reflect about societal systems of power, conformity and submission towards them, and question their purpose.