A model lives in the present state (2,2,2)
I believe the answer is:
as it is
'in the present state' is the definition.
(as things currently are)
'a model lives' is the wordplay.
'model' becomes 'sit' (e.g. for a painting).
'lives' becomes 'is' ('be' can be a synonym of 'live').
'a'+'sit'+'is'='AS IT IS'
(Other definitions for as it is that I've seen before include "In the current state of affairs" , "In current circumstances, the way things are" , "true to life" , "In the present circumstances" , "Given the position, in the circumstances" .)