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Subversive Commercial Art

York Christoph Riccius Brings Edge to Mainstream Work

— August 23, 2011 — Pop Culture
York Christoph Riccius is an extremely interesting artist currently based in Berlin who manages to sneak many subversive elements into his very mainstream commercial photography shoots, which has helped him establish a distinct aesthetic that is drawing attention from the art world.

York Christoph Riccius is the owner of his own studio, where he heads shoots for major international brands like IKEA, Smirnoff, Nissian, Phillips, Axe, and MTV, managing to shoehorn a strong element of surrealism into every shoot.

Looking through York Christoph Riccius' portfolio, it's easy to see why his work is drawing attention from the art world. It is rare that you see a shutterbug with enough ability to give his posed photographs the kind of unpredictability and abstract attitude that marks many surrealist paintings, but York Christoph Riccius' work shines with that aggressive charm.

It'll be interesting to see whether his career continues to expand, or he faces a backlash that forces him to tone down the tenor of many of his photoshoots. Regardless, view his selected portfolio to see the images that have gotten the art and advertising world talking.

Implications - A company seeking to generate immediate brand interest would be wise to invest in advertising that features a heavy surrealist element. By providing consumers with a strong alternative to the conventional marketing they have become accustomed to, the company shows a willingness to think outside of the box.
Trend Themes
1. Surrealist Commercial Advertising - Companies should consider incorporating surrealist elements into their advertising to generate immediate interest and stand out from conventional marketing.
2. Subversive Mainstream Art - Artists can incorporate subversive elements into mainstream commercial photography, creating a distinct aesthetic and drawing attention from the art world.
3. Unpredictable Posed Photography - Photographers with the ability to give their posed photographs the kind of unpredictability and abstract attitude that marks many surrealist paintings can set themselves apart in the industry.
Industry Implications
1. Advertising - Advertising agencies can benefit from incorporating surrealist elements into their campaigns to generate interest and differentiate from conventional marketing.
2. Art - Artists and photographers can explore incorporating subversive and surreal elements into their work, creating a distinct aesthetic and drawing attention from the art world.
3. Photography - Photographers can differentiate themselves from the competition by bringing unpredictability and abstract attitude to their posed photography, reminiscent of surrealist paintings.
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