Clemens Ascher: There is no Release from the Brain Police

What might seem on the surface like pleasing eye candy actually negotiates some of the most relevant and distressing topics of our times. Societal control through generated desires, alienation from nature, and other uncomfortable contemporary truths build the superstructure of Clemens Ascherª¡s surreal photography. While these constructed scenarios are reminiscent of theatrical stages, his characters always stay tangible but with an uncanny touch. He combines various styles and elements from art history and our collective visual memory to form new contemporary statements. Therefor he often utilizes an exaggerated advertising aesthetic that he contrasts with calm and detached minimalism. For more than seven years Ascher has continued to build this body of workª¢a world as constructed as the belief systems he satirizes. This book is the first time all his best works are brought together.