emotilocks by francesco morackini questions our relationship with new technologies

after becoming fascinated by the number of ‘love locks’ that proliferate on bridges and monuments across many large cities, francesco morackini has conceived of his own take on the romantic gesture. titled ’emotilocks’, the vienna-based designer’s latest project blends layers of semantics in an effort to question the significance and interpretation of ordinary signs and icons that surround us in daily life. 

the ‘likelock’ from the VL series

all images courtesy of francesco morackini

the first collection of locks is called the ‘VL series’ (virtual life) and includes the ‘bitlock’, the ‘likelock’, the ‘hashtaglock’ and the ‘atlock’. the VL series looks at new technologies and our relationship with them. morackini examines how we could not function without contemporary tools of communication, but proposes that progress always comes at a cost. the emotilocks intend to remind people to stay alert and not to become trapped – or locked – in a system.

the ‘atlock’ from the VL series

the second is dubbed the ‘IRL series’ (in real life) and comprises the ‘lovelock’, the ‘penislock’, the ‘moneylock’, and the ‘hatelock’. this collection discusses the bond we carry with our emotions and feelings and how they drive our everyday actions. however, morackini aims to express how these emotions can also interfere with our behavior – or lock us in.

the ‘hashtaglock’ from the VL series

overall, morackini questions how padlocks have become a symbol of love, when the original function is to block access to something or secure valuable or precious assets. the idea of the heavy and cold object that dates back to ancient rome, and which now causes damage to public monuments, has transmuted into the symbol of an unbreakable link between two lovers. while staying in line with its original function, the emotilock series plays with the design to bring a new dimension to the padlock as an object. the usage remains, yet the interpretations multiply. 

the ‘bitlock’ from the VL series

the ‘hatelock’ from the IRL series

the ‘lovelock’ from the IRL series

the ‘moneylock’ from the IRL series

the ‘penislock’ from the IRL series

the ‘hatelock’ from the IRL series

detail of the ‘hatelock’

the ‘likelock’ from the VL series

detail of the ‘likelock’

project info:

project name: emotilocks

design: francesco morackini

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom