Brian Ulrich’s large scale photographs which examine the excesses and peculiarities of American consumer culture. Initiated in 2001, as a response to the United States government’s call to bolster the economy through shopping, the ongoing Copia series offers a penetrating look at life in an affluent, consumer-dominated culture. Furthermore, the work uncovers the economic and political influcences of commercialism within society and the very often self-destructive effects. The term “Copia” means plentiful supply, associated with abundance and the general strategy of amplification. In this way, Copia relates both to the attitude of a generic middle class America, as well as the controlled architectural space of a store.

This selection of images is drawn from his monograph published this fall by Aperture. The images locate private movements in busy public environments that are essentially enclosed worlds, such as “big box” retailers and thrift stores.