Brian Ulrich

I looked in to the series Copia—Retail, Thrift, and Dark Stores, 2001-2011 by Brian Ulrich. It is part of a 3 series project that has been shot over a decade. Ulrich was initially look at large shopping centres, looking at the bright colours, over consumption, advertisements and also how the layout of the checkouts and the isles resemble some what of a production factory, as if the people are also part of the machines. This is the image 'Granger' I feel this clarifies his intentions and portrays all aspects that he was investigating. 

Brian Ulrich, “Granger, IN,” 2003.

After this he then went on to looking at 'Thrift shops', I imagine that after seeing so much product go to waste at the super markets he then decided to look in to where all the waste, the over manufactured products go. He also looks at people more within that series as he is trying to relate the people to the stores. Looking at different economical parties that seem to more open to shopping in thrift shops, wether that be students, working class and elderly. 

An image from his series "Thrift" 

Brian Ulrich, “Untitled,” 2007.

Then he final series was looking at 'big box stores' where he has once photographed, he went back and visit all the places and they were all empty with large sheets over the buildings, all come out of business because off the economical crises. 

An image from his final series:

Brian Ulrich, “Future Comp USA,” 2010.

Through this project Ulrich switch between a medium format and large format, shooting mostly 10 x 8. His images don't just capture people and objects but entire cultures and because he drew the project out to become 3 series I feel that it is much more effective as you see both the beginning and ending of the places he photographed, this give a shocking sense of awareness to how much we over produce products and how much is being made, in comparison to how much we actually need. 

After reflecting on his series I really feel like he is pointing out that message that we are majorly a consumerist society and that we need to start limiting the production lines as soon we will have over run are resources and there will be noting left but lots of wasted products and food. Although t.v and advertisements and media make us feel we need things, I feel people need to wake up and fill there desires will more physical things rather than all these materialistic possessions that only fill your desire till you see something else something 'new' something 'better'. Through Ulrich's series I think the same message is portrayed. 

Ulrich is doing a live talk at North Carolinas Museum of Art : 

(see more for details)

Gallery talks by photographers Brian Ulrich and Carrie Levy

Friday, September 27 | 7 pm 
Meet in Entrance Lobby, East Building 
Free

Photographers Brian Ulrich and Carrie Levy each give brief (20-minute) gallery talks in their respective exhibitions at the NCMA: Brian Ulrich Copia—Retail, Thrift, and Dark Stores, 2001-2011 (on view September 29, 2013–January 5, 2014) and Reveal: Portraits by Carrie Levy (on view through January 26, 2014).

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http://www.ncartmuseum.org/calendar/event/2013/09/27/gallery_talks_by_photographers_brian_ulrich_and_carrie_levy/1900

http://richmondartsreview.com/?p=2579

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Ulrich's current exhibitions

EXHIBITIONS

40 Artists / 40 Years: Selections from the Lightwork Collection
Kathleen O. Ellis Gallery, Syracuse, NY
August 19 – October 25/ 2013

Brian Ulrich: Copia—Retail, Thrift, and Dark Stores, 2001–11
North Carolina Museum of Art
September 29/ 2013 – January 5/ 2014

Shades of Darkness
C33 Gallery, Chicago, IL
September 2 – November 11/ 2013

Stocked: Contemporary Art from the Grocery Aisles
Faulconer Gallery, Grinnell, IN
September 20 – December 15/ 2013

Brian Ulrich: Copia—Retail, Thrift, and Dark Stores, 2001–11
Haggerty Museum of Museum of Art
January 22 – May 18/ 2014