Uglycute

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This book encapsulates over a decade of work by a prominent Swedish art and design collective, featuring Markus Degerman, Andreas Nobel, Jonas Nobel, and Fredrik Stenberg. Their collaboration merges art, design, and architecture, significantly influencing Europe by challenging modernism and neomodernism's values regarding class, sex, and style. The group's output balances theory, practice, and education, expanding into Nordic and international art and design through various mediums, including objects, exhibition architecture, and teaching. Their journey began in 1999 in Stockholm with the release of a fanzine titled Katzenjammer, which explored the discourse surrounding design and architecture, complemented by drawings and recipes. The group gained momentum by transitioning from discussion to action, responding to a stagnant 1990s Swedish design climate that favored a bland pseudo-modernism. Uglycute distinguished itself by navigating the intersections of art, design, and architecture, with a name reflecting their aim to find beauty in deviation from the norm, encapsulated in the motto, “The interesting is the beautiful.” Their perceived “amateurism” arises from a conscious choice to embrace accessible materials and collaborative production processes, inviting broader participation in design. Ultimately, this approach symbolizes a liberating “otherness,” showcasing alternative aesthetics and values in the design landscape.