In 2001 the American government called on its citizens to stimulate the national economy by shopping as much as possible. Consumerism was equated with patriotism. COPIA - literally 'plenty' - is a response to this. The series shows a consumer-dominated culture and the disastrous consequences this has in the form of overconsumption and the constant bombardment of advertising. COPIA confronts the consumer with his or her rituals in order to raise consciousness of the commercial world in which they live, and the role they themselves play in it. Brian Ulrich particularly photographed how the traditional excitement about a purchase has been exchanged for listless consumption.

COPIA, by Brian Ulrich (b. 1971, United States) was published in 2006 by Aperture as a part of MP3: Midwest Photographers Project. His series THRIFT is part of the Noorderlicht exhibition Act of Faith.