UGLY BEAUTIES BY CURRY J. HACKETT
PhotoS: Cameron Blaylock
Installed at The Plaza at 300 Ashland in March 2024, Ugly Beauties was a panoramic display of AI-generated images of people juxtaposed with various native and invasive plant species—so-called “weeds”—that flourish in New York City. The display prompts viewers to consider society’s perception of beauty and belonging.
Ugly Beauties featured construction netting draping steel scaffolding. Upon approaching the structure, viewers were presented with scenes depicting Black individuals in city landscapes surrounded by various urban growth. Much vegetation that emerges in urban settings is spontaneous, often appearing between sidewalk cracks and labeled as invasive when not planted according to municipal ordinance. Many gardeners and ecologists often try to banish unwanted plant growth from meticulously planned landscapes, but Ugly Beauties challenges this notion.
Through Hackett’s lens, the Black individuals among the weeds highlight a metaphorical connection between society’s perception of these species and its treatment of Black people. The AI-generated images urge the viewer to look beyond the conventional definition of pretty flowers, such as tulips, roses, and daffodils, and ponder the idea that weeds should also be appreciated for their beauty, cultural importance, and ecological value. Ugly Beauties champions Black resilience, celebrating the belonging of both Black people and spontaneous plant growth in urban environments.
To celebrate the opening of Ugly Beauties, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership and Van Alen Institute hosted a reception featuring Palava!, the creative ensemble known for their fusion of classic Afrobeat music with blends of Rock, Jazz, and Afro-Cuban rhythms and Kriyol Dance! Collective, a Brooklyn-based action group working at the intersection of arts practices rooted in oral history and movement, public health, and community organizing. Set against the backdrop of Ugly Beauties, Palava! and Kriyol Dance! Collective created a harmonious interplay of sound and movement.
ABOUT CURRY J. HACKETT
Curry J. Hackett is a transdisciplinary designer, public artist, and educator. His practice, Wayside, looks to undertold histories to inspire meaningful art and critical research. Recently, Curry has been experimenting with artificial intelligence tools, with which he braids Black aesthetics, kinships with nature, and pop culture to imagine surreal scenes of Black joy. This work has been featured widely, most notably in Bloomberg and Architect Magazine. His ongoing research project, titled Drylongso, explores relationships between Blackness, geography, and land. This project has received funding the Graham Foundation, Journal of Architectural Education, and Washington Project for the Arts. Curry earned his Bachelor of Architecture from Howard University, and is currently completing his Master of Architecture in Urban Design at the Harvard Graduate School of Design.