On view March 8–May 2, 2024, Curry J. Hackett's Ugly Beauties envisioned abundant urban futures that center Black communities.
About Ugly Beauties
March 8–May 2, 2024
The Plaza at 300 Ashland, Brooklyn
Curry J. Hackett’s Ugly Beauties champions Black resilience, celebrating the belonging of both Black people and spontaneous plant growth in urban environments. Made of construction netting and steel scaffolding, Ugly Beauties features images of Black people juxtaposed with native and invasive plant species — so-called “weeds” — that flourish in New York City, prompting viewers to consider society’s perception of beauty and belonging. Dandelion, yarrow, burdock, and other wild plants all bear ecological and cultural value, yet are commonly dismissed as weeds. In Ugly Beauties, however, their beauty is championed in a lush collage of imaginary weedy worlds, celebrated in parades, dinner parties, costume designs, and churches.
Ugly Beauties borrows its name from Thelonious Monk’s haunting ballad: a subtle invitation for views to explore the harmonies between the “uglies” and beauties in their streets and backyards. The tapestry is one of visual jazz — a rich composite made with artificial intelligence using Midjourney’s text-to-image generator.
Ugly Beauties is part of Van Alen Institute’s Common Build program, intended to surface the work of emerging designers and test new strategies to bring people together in public space. The installation is co-produced by Van Alen Institute and the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership. Presented with support from Two Trees Management Co.
Lighting design by Jelisa Blumberg. Lighting by Jamaul Douglas, scaffolding by Steel Construction LLC, and mesh by Britten Inc.
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.
Curry J. Hackett
Designer, Artist, and Educator
Visitor Info
The Plaza at 300 Ashland is conveniently situated in the heart of the Brooklyn Cultural District, at the intersection of Lafayette Ave and Flatbush Ave. The plaza is easily accessible – located only a short walk from the B, Q, 2/3 and 4/5 subway lines at Atlantic Barclays, the G train at Fulton St, and the C train at Lafayette Ave, as well as a number of bus stops. There is also paid parking along the surrounding streets.
Tag us in your photos! @curryhackett | @van_alen | @downtownbrooklyn
Press
Finalists
Finalist submissions for the 2024 iteration of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership Design Installation.
Outersides
Outersides is a stark interactive public sculpture made from aluminum tubes, metal, dye, LEDs, concrete, and wood. The sculpture weaves together historical architectural motifs and cultural migration to reframe our perspective and invite us to reach for future dreams. The form is inspired by the pointed arches that are found in historical temples throughout Asia, religious architecture in Europe, and also the façade of the 1927 Williamsburg Savings Bank that was located in what is now downtown Brooklyn. Outersides transforms the pointed arch, once a symbol of dominance, into an intricate convergence of lines and angles. Outersides’ verticality hints at aspirations beyond reach, slightly tilted to evoke a sense of transition and slippage through dimensions. This permeable installation fosters connection and inclusivity. Outersides radiates joy, togetherness, and community. As we stand within the boundaries of our present circumstances, Outersides urges us to fix our gaze upon the horizon.
White Space | White Noise
White Space | White Noise is an multi-sensory installation that encourages visitors to the plaza at 300 Ashland to selectively filter the rich cacophony of city life, providing moments of contemplation and connection through visual framing and aural isolation. It is designed to offer both meditative/individual, and shared/collective experiences. The installation comprises three reflective pavilions with corrugated mirrored exteriors and mirrored seating within, designed to frame and isolate specific urban vistas. The
interior of the pavilions consists entirely of integrated uniform “whitespace” lighting and is accompanied by isolated and amplified sound elements that correspond to each carefully framed subject. The installation aims to celebrate the sights and sounds of individual elements of the city. It is about observing the things we see and listening to the things we hear.
