In Which Cupcake Identity is Clarified

  The world is on its head. Gwyneth is Gabrielle Hamilton, no, an anchovy, wine barrels have become egg-shaped entities by design of E.T., and in population density by square foot, cupcakes are giving invasive weeds a run for their money.  The first two are easily explained. The last hasn’t been adequately analyzed, until now. And because the rapid propagation of the cupcake trend is confusing, allow Sample Reality to break it down. Or rather, rip it apart and make it whole again, pretty pleated cup and all.  Amidst the deconstruction, Sample Reality theorizes about what exactly the cupcake is, what it embodies, and, most importantly, why it is so very much like your scarved, black-rimmed glasses-wearing neighbor who goes to Pratt. (For this comparison, any art school will do.)  So grab yourself a mass-produced cupcake (frosted, if you know what you’re doing), and let it mollify all of your cultural anxieties. Because it will.  On the Predominance of Cupcakes as a Cultural Form from Sample Reality   

ByKenzi Wilbur

Published On

Imported image

Imported Image

The world is on its head. Gwyneth is Gabrielle Hamilton, no, an anchovy, wine barrels have become egg-shaped entities by design of E.T., and in population density by square foot, cupcakes are giving invasive weeds a run for their money.

The first two are easily explained. The last hasn’t been adequately analyzed, until now. And because the rapid propagation of the cupcake trend is confusing, allow Sample Reality to break it down. Or rather, rip it apart and make it whole again, pretty pleated cup and all.

Amidst the deconstruction, Sample Reality theorizes about what exactly the cupcake is, what it embodies, and, most importantly, why it is so very much like your scarved, black-rimmed glasses-wearing neighbor who goes to Pratt. (For this comparison, any art school will do.)

So grab yourself a mass-produced cupcake (frosted, if you know what you’re doing), and let it mollify all of your cultural anxieties. Because it will.


This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience.

When you visit our website, we collect and use personal information about you using cookies. You may opt out of selling, sharing, or disclosure of personal data for targeted advertising (called "Do Not Sell or Share" in California) by enabling the Global Privacy Control on a compatible browser. See our Privacy Policy for further information.