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A life through lighters

Collector's foreword

The idea came to me when thinking of a common theme amongst items I had many of. Lighters all serve the same purpose, but as a a smoker myself, I collect and go through so many different ones. I don't think many people would associate a lighter with amemory or an experience, especially not a cheap, 2-dollar lighter. Looking back though, each lighter in my collection marks a key moment or experience in my life, and that makes each and every one of them precious to me.

“Miles of junk to throw out - how do you decide what to keep when everything is sentiment.”

- Staceyann Chin

Lighter 1 - February 2017

This is the first lighter that I collected since leaving Singapore. It was given to me for free by the tobacco store cashier with a smile, after a pleasant conversation that we had. Having arrived in Melbourne only the day before, receiving this lighter reminded me that Melbourne can be just as friendly as Singapore, and that I could build new relationships here and start over. At the time, it was my first time seeing a lighter of this design, which I assumed was an Australian thing.

Lighter 2, 3, 4 - March ~ June 2017

These lighters are of the same type that I used to find back home, Bic. During the time I used these lighters for, I was undergoing a phase of change in both my attitude, and priorities. In some small way, I guess I could say that the lighters reflect my growing self and how I've been trying to add volume to my character.

Lighter 5 - July 2017

This is a lighter that I got from a friend at the start of winter. The windy weather necessitated a lighter that is wind-proof, and my friend jokingly bought me the tackiest lighter he could find at a thrift shop. It still remains usable to this day, though I agree that it is too ugly to be seen in public with. Being a pragmatic person myself, I normally don't purchase fancy lighters, and the receiving of this lighter made me realize what a large influence my friends had on this point in my life.

Lighter 6 - August 2017

This is a lighter that I received from a friend of mine. She and I started hanging out after we met at the smoking corner just off the North end of school. She had bought this lighter at a shoe convention, ironically the only thing she purchased there. As we got closer, she gave me the lighter as a gift. The rose on it gives it a unique element, though it is ultimately of a familiar, and comfortable design.

Lighter 7 - August 2017

This is a lighter that me and my friend purchased. We had a humourous conversation where we discussed the cost of our smoking, and how it was draining our allowance. We agreed that if we both switch to rolling cigarettes, we can cut the cost by a large margin. We had found that this lighter contains a detachable stick that assists you when rolling, and we each bought one. It was an impulse buy - something that I never do, and reflecting on this, I realized that I and her had become more alike by hanging around each other.

Lighter 8 - September 2017

This is a lighter that my friend had used often. It was small and compact, which allowed it to fit snugly in her purse. I've always hated using it, as my hands are much larger and unable to hold the lighter securely while sparking it. It ended up in my collection purely by chance, as my friend tended to be a little careless with her belongings while we were out and about, being young; I was always there to pick up after her.

Lighter 9 - October 2017

With my friend having left two weeks ago, this is the first lighter that I purchased since February. It came free with yet another purchase from the tobacco store, from the same attendant as all those months ago. She held it out to me with the same smile and nod that she did 8 months ago, and my day was brightened.

Lighter 10 - October 2017

With things going more slowly at this time in the year, I began sinking into many of my old habits and behaviours. This also happened to be reflected in the choice of lighters that I continued purchasing after my friend had left - they had become bulkier and more practical overall, like the lighters I used to purchase back home.

About the collection

This collection was assembled over the course of 10 months. There were many other potential lighters I could have added into the collection, though I did not feel that they carried with them anything unique or interesting to talk about. Many of these lighters were not purchased by me, and were gifts, as such I do not know their origins, except how they ended up with me.

I feel that sentiment is undervalued in this day and age. People everywhere spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on designer bags, shoes and watches that they wear only once, and never use again. Meanwhile, items that we keep around us and use on a daily basis are considered "cheap" and "disposable". This collection was assembled to highlight to myself and others the value of the little things in our lives that make them easier.

All narratives/names/details in this document are fictionalized in some way or another.

Contact Us

Email: contact@lifethroughlighters.com

Telephone: +61 403 826 528

Address: 20 Bayview Avenue, Clayton VIC 3168