A blonde girl stands in front of the prepared food section, talking on the phone. She pauses to ponder what indeed she wants to buy. There is nothing much in her cart, a few random things, yet still she stands, wondering what in fact she wants to eat for dinner tonight.

This is a common scene, and in fact, many people have probably experienced it at least once this week. Yet it is very unusual that anyone stops to take notice of these day-to-day activities.

It is these seemingly mundane, everyday occurrences that Chicago artist Brian Ulrich photographs and displays for the entire world to see.

In his exhibit, “Melodramas of Consumption,” located in the Illinois Program for Research in Humanities building, 805 W. Pennsylvania Ave, he explores people’s consumer habits throughout the Midwest.

Associate Director for Illinois Program for Research in the Humanities, Christine Catanzarite, said she is excited to display the work of up-and-coming artist Brian Ulrich because it explores the themes that shape our everyday lives.

“This exhibit brings up some very provocative questions about consumerism and our complicated relationship to the products that we buy,” Catanzarite said. “It explores the role that brands play in shaping our lives and our identities and the ways that ads, products and brands have become a part of our physical and emotional landscapes. Ulrich’s works are a significant and thought-provoking commentary on these notions that are an important, but not always clearly articulated, part of the way we live.”

Oftentimes, society overlooks these trends. However, in light of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, Brian Ulrich decided to take notice of these trends.

According to his official Web site, “In 2001 citizens were encouraged to take to the malls to boost the U.S. economy through shopping, thereby equating consumerism with patriotism. This project is a long-term photographic examination of the peculiarities and complexities of the consumer-dominated culture in which we live.”

This exhibit should be appealing to University students because they are a part of this culture, this world, that this exhibit explores, Catanzarite said.

“If this exhibit causes some people to take a look at their consumer behavior and think about it in a way that they might not have before, that is great,” Catanzarite said.

However, that is not the only intent for this exhibit. Ulrich said it is not meant to criticize people for their behaviors, only to make them more aware of what their consumer habits say about themselves and the in which society they live.

Ulrich captures a certain something in his photos that cannot be fully explained and is different for each person who views it.

According to the Web site, “I capture lost excitement and overwhelmed, subsumed moments.”

“Melodramas of Consumption” is an exploration of this society, a moment in time that will be looked back at with accurate portrayals of everyday life.

Check out his photographs both at Krannert Art Museum, until April 1, and at the IPRH lecture hall, where his solo show, entitled “Melodramas of Consumption,” will be on view until March 2.