'Posting memes in the real world': Paper cutout artist turns everyday public items into beloved classic viral memes

Elna McHilderson • Managing Editor

Oct 8, 2022 12:00 PM EDT

Does art imitate life or life imitate art? That's been a question for the philosophers for ages. Artists have always been inspired by life, but life has also always been inspired by art! It's a chicken or the egg predicament. Artist Rudy Willingham, who is viral for his work with latte art and cutout paper, started a serious on his TikTok where he cuts out viral memes and places them on everyday items that seem to intertwine with the meme its self. For example, he uses a pedestrian crosswalk sign to mirror the man looking over his shoulder to check out another woman meme. He's pointing out how memes are life, and life is memes! Or something like that?… Idk, but it is truly a masterpiece and I will never look at automatic slide doors the same. There's something special about being able to see everyday items as memes, brings a little bit of extra serotonin to your usually boring daily routines.