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Artist Uses iPhone to Playfully Superimpose Famous Characters in Real Life

By Kelly Richman-Abdou on October 4, 2018

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A post shared by Francois Dourlen (@francoisdourlen) on Sep 4, 2018 at 9:24am PDT

Like many photographers, Francois Dourlen finds inspiration in everyday life. What sets his snaps of nature, architecture, and other ordinary settings apart, however, is the famous—and fictional—subjects that star in them. In his series, smARTphone, Dourlen uses his iPhone to seamlessly superimpose characters from popular culture into real life situations.

In this clever collection of photographs, Dourlen brings beloved cartoon characters, famed action heroes, and other recognizable figures to life. By simply pulling up images of the stars and strategically positioning his phone, he is able to fabricate eye-catching new realities. A floral recreation of Marge Simpson's signature ‘do and Stephen Curry's courtside celebration of The Lion King‘s birth are just some of the fun scenarios imagined by Dourlen.

This creative project is a prime example of how contemporary artists are incorporating popular culture into their work. From pen drawings of universes from TV and film to modern reinterpretations of Van Gogh's The Starry Night, these playful pieces prove the artistic potential of pop culture.