HUE is a series of print and web-based zines, created from 2016-2017, dedicated to the exploration of color in terms of its chemical composition, historical origin, and cultural significance. HUE was co-edited by Alanna Reeves and Niki Afsar, and invited an array of contributors to share their ideas on hues we see throughout our lives by way word and image. Each issue reflects on a color prompt inspiring poems, articles, illustrations and more.
The series was created in reaction to the ready-made color Caucasian Flesh Tone (also referred to as Portrait Pink and Flesh Tone). This pinkish hue caters to a specific demographic and while no other colors have been created to match non-white skin tones its existence supports the idea that a color can be crafted and made to serve as a definitive representation of a particular ethnic group. The solitary creation of the Caucasian Flesh Tone reinforces current issues regarding the general perception of western art as “classical” or “academic” versus non-western art which is regarded as object, artifact, or craft. Caucasian Flesh Tone therein suggests that the realm of portraiture can only be contributed to by those it is modeled after.
Select issues can be found at the Rhode Island School of Design's Fleet Library Special Zines collection
and the Brown University's Sarah Doyle Women's Center.