Koffin 2018
The inspiration for this project developed from a commission by artist Gina Czarnecki who established the Liverpool based start-up company ‘Koffin’. Gina’s personal family experiences of the high costs of funerals, along with the unsustainable nature of traditional coffins were what inspired her to found a company dedicated to creating sustainable, 3D printed eco-coffins made from a lignin-based polymer which is 100% biodegradable.
Working with the Directors of DaDaFest, The Artichoke Trust London, The Science Gallery London and FabLab Liverpool, 20 selected artists from a national competition were commissioned to reimagine, customise and personalise the design of these caskets.
General Description
In terms of the project brief, the form, design and smooth curves of the Koffin immediately brought to mind thoughts of a vehicle to transport the occupant to the ‘hereafter’.
"Appreciating the design and aesthetics of sports cars, both classic and modern, I rather liked the idea of being driven off into the blue yonder in style, in something that would get me to wherever I was going that little bit quicker and definitely something with ‘go-faster stripe’ credibility."
This concept design is a combination of 1950’s & 1960’s classic British racing car, American hot-rod and Japanese tinplate toy, with a hint of spaceship thrown in for good measure.
Installation Description
Exhibited under the ‘Who We Are Now’ section of DaDaFest these works were inspired by ideological challenges around life and death, art, culture, and the funeral industry. The selected twenty concepts were developed for an exhibition on Mexican Day of the Dead, 1st November 2018 as part of the launch for DaDaFest.
As part of a new large-scale participatory artwork, the completed, full-size Koffins were paraded through the streets of Liverpool on their way to be exhibited at The Liverpool Oratory (02 – 18 November, 2018) in front of The Anglican Cathedral, as part of Liverpool’s DaDaFest International.
Technical Description
The initial 3-D modelling was developed using Blender software with final visualizations rendered using Adobe Dimension. STL files were exported to the Digital Fabrication Laboratory located in the School of Art and Design at Liverpool John Moores University where the engine and cockpit components were 3D printed and attached to the Koffin itself. This was then sent to a paint finishers for the final water-based paint coatings and additional decoration.
Credits
Gina Czarnecki and The Koffin Company Ltd., DaDaFest & Fablabs Liverpool, U.K.
