A roundup of ideas and projects from around the Institute
Professor of Fashion Design and Black Dress exhibition co-curator Adrienne Jones spoke to Essence about this year’s Met Gala, its theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” and the history of Black fashion design and styling. “There’s more than three colors in the crayon box,” she said. “Where was the vibrancy? I think of African tailors, of Caribbean elegance—rich color, texture, vibrance. That’s what I wanted more of.”
Pin-Up interviews Mark Grattan, BID ’06, in a wide-ranging conversation that explores his love of woodworking, his upcoming Layered collection for HBF Textiles, and his resistance to trends. “I’m not on trend. I’ve always stayed clear of a trend. Stacking and repetition give me comfort. In my eyes, it’s a beautiful thing to repeat a shape. The new collection has a lot of repeating shapes, like marquetry, which I’m working on a lot at the moment.”
Professors Claudia Berger, MSLIS ’21, and Nancy Smith were co-editors on a special issue of dh+lib, “Crafting Encounters with Humanities Data.” It also features work from two alumni, Erica Weidner, MSLIS ’24, and Jessika Davis, MSMDC ’22.
For the Brooklyn Rail, Assistant Dean in the School of Art Marcus Civin reviewed a new monograph on artist and musician Lonnie Holley. “The highlight is his assemblages of cast-off objects installed in his backyard or other outdoor spaces—often stacks of rusty or busted-up furniture, tools, and wood,” writes Civin. “Collectively, these sculptures represent a kind of archaeology, history unearthed from the junkyard, combinations that appear as improvisational as the artist’s singing.”
Professor of Writing James Hannaham’s Didn’t Nobody Give a Shit What Happened to Carlotta was included on Michelle Tea’s top ten list of favorite gay books for Literary Hub. “Is this perhaps the best book in the world?,” writes Tea. “This is a funny book about a serious subject—my fave—and it features one of the very best characters I’ve ever loved, Carlotta, and I happen to give a very serious shit what happened to her, from the electric first page til the last.”
Nasreen Alkhateeb, BFA Fine Arts ’07, was awarded second place in the Getty Image award for creators advancing disability awareness. Alkhateeb also served as the cinematographer for She Runs the World, a feature-length documentary that premiered at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival and was selected as Audience Choice 1st Runner Up.
Visiting Assistant Professor of GA/LA/UD Po-Yao Shih’s installation proposal, “Floating Field,” was shortlisted for the Shaping Water Competition, alongside fifteen other designs. Learn more from the School of Architecture News.
Chair of Fine Arts Jane South spoke with The New York Times about the state of New York City. She noted that applications to Pratt’s Fine Arts program are up, indicating that artists still see the city as a place of hope. “[Artists] generate opportunities for themselves, for others. There’s a tremendous amount of that going on.”
Associate Professor in the School of Information Nancy Smith is presenting at the Data | Art Symposium at Harvard. Her presentation, “Environmental Data & Fiber Arts: Experiments in Stitching, Quilting, and Sculpture,” explores her recent work in data physicalization and slow technology.
Ananda Ray, BFA Digital Arts ’24, presented on the Apollo Theater’s Career Panel, “Beyond the Algorithm: New Voices in AI & AR.”
From Pratt Institute News
From Pratt Institute News
