There is no Release from the Brain Police by Clemens Ascher

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 Ascher’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 work—a world as constructed as the belief systems he satirizes. This book is the first time all his best works are brought together.

The Austrian photographer CLEMENS ASCHER (*1983) is known for his conceptual staged photography and photorealistic collage works. Besides exhibiting internationally, he also contributes to numerous festivals, publications, and magazines, including Garage, Numéro, and The Guardian.

Edited by: Nadine Barth

Artist: Clemens Ascher

There is no Release from the Brain Police, Clemens Ascher. Annie Leibovitz. Hatje Cantz, 2020.