Brian Ulrich: Copia—Retail, Thrift, and Dark Stores, 2001–11

Tags for: Brian Ulrich: Copia—Retail, Thrift, and Dark Stores, 2001–11
  • Special Exhibition
Saturday, August 27, 2011–Sunday, February 26, 2012
Location: East Wing, Photography Galleries

Granger, IN (detail), 2003. Brian Ulrich (American, b. 1971). Ultrachrome Inkjet Print; 101.6 x 127 cm. Courtesy of the artist. © Brian Ulrich

  1.  Granger, IN, 2003. Brian Ulrich (American, b. 1971). Ultrachrome Inkjet Print; 101.6 x 127 cm. Courtesy of the artist. © Brian Ulrich 
  2.  Cleveland, OH, 2003. Brian Ulrich (American, b. 1971). Chromogenic process color print, printed 2007; 101.6 x 132.1 cm. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Katherine Solender and William E. Katzin 2007.170. © Brian Ulrich 
  3.  Black River Falls, WI, 2006. Brian Ulrich (American, b. 1971). Ultrachrome Inkjet Print, printed 2011; 50.8 x 66 cm. Collection of Fred and Laura Ruth Bidwell. © Brian Ulrich 
  4.  JCPenney, Dixie Square Mall, 2009. Brian Ulrich (American, b. 1971). Ultrachrome Inkjet Print; 121.9 x 152.4 cm. Collection of Fred and Laura Ruth Bidwell. © Brian Ulrich 
  5.  Kenosha, WI, 2003. Brian Ulrich (American, b. 1971). Ultrachrome Inkjet Print, printed 2011; 76.2 x 101.6 cm. Courtesy of the Artist. © Brian Ulrich 
  6.  Black River Falls, WI, 2Klingsman’s Furniture, 2008. Brian Ulrich (American, b. 1971). Ultrachrome Inkjet Print, printed 2011; 50.8 x 61 cm. Collection of Fred and Laura Ruth Bidwell. © Brian Ulrich06. Brian Ulrich (American, b. 1971). Ultrachrome Inkjet Print, printed 2011 
  7.  Pep Boys 3, 2009. Brian Ulrich (American, b. 1971). Ultrachrome Inkjet Print, printed 2011; 50.8 x 61 cm. Collection of Fred and Laura Ruth Bidwell. © Brian Ulrich 
  8.  Powerhouse Gym, 2008. Brian Ulrich (American, b. 1971). Ultrachrome Inkjet Print, printed 2011; 101.6 x 127 cm. Collection of Fred and Laura Ruth Bidwell. © Brian Ulrich 
  9.  Untitled (Thrift Dragon), 2006. Brian Ulrich (American, b. 1971). Ultrachrome Inkjet Print, printed 2011; 101.6 x 76.2 cm. Collection of Fred and Laura Ruth Bidwell. © Brian Ulrich 
  10.  Untitled (Shoes), 2006. Brian Ulrich (American, b. 1971). Ultrachrome Inkjet Print, printed 2011; 121.9 x 152.4 cm. Collection of Fred and Laura Ruth Bidwell. © Brian Ulrich 
  11.  Untitled (Shopper), 2005. Brian Ulrich (American, b. 1971). Ultrachrome Inkjet Print, printed 2011; 50.8 x 66 cm. Collection of Fred and Laura Ruth Bidwell. © Brian Ulrich 
View More CMA Objects in the Exhibition

About The Exhibition

On view at the Cleveland Museum of Art from August 27, 2011 to February 26, 2012, Brian Ulrich features 50 color photographs from the artist's Copia series (2001–10), a three-part project that confronts viewers with an in-depth examination of consumerism in American culture. Initially using a hand-held camera with the view finder at waist level, Ulrich remained anonymous while documenting shoppers engrossed in navigating the abundance of goods found in vast enclosed malls and big-box stores. The second phase focuses on thrift stores, the collecting places for discarded and unwanted consumer products, yet a primary destination for a growing segment of the United States' population. The concluding group features haunting images of the impact of the 2008 financial crisis, highlighted by the exteriors and interiors of dark stores, ghost boxes, and dead malls.

Organized by the Cleveland Museum of Art, this exhibition was made possible by the Fred and Laura Ruth Bidwell Foundation. The Cleveland Museum of Art is generously funded by Cuyahoga County residents through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this exhibition with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

 

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