By cataloging every conceivable human skin tone, Angélica Dass illustrates that skin color and race are more complex than they might appear at first glance.

Why you should listen

As a member of a multiethnic family, Brazilian artist Angélica Dass is acutely aware of how small differences in skin tone can swell into large misconceptions and stereotypes about race.

In her ongoing project Humanæ, Dass pairs thousands of portraits of people from diverse parts of the world with their Pantone codes, revealing that our racially­ charged skin color labels --­­ red, white, brown --­­ as not only inaccurate but also absurd. Instead, she shows us that "these colors make us see each other as different, even though we are equal."

Dass's book The Colors We Share features portraits that celebrate the diverse beauty of human skin. It's set to be released in 2021.

Angélica Dass’ TED talk

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Arts + Design

Gallery: Humans come in all shapes, sizes — and colors

April 5, 2016

"We still live in a world where the color of our skin not only gives a first impression, but a lasting one that remains," says Brazilian artist Angélica Dass. She shows portraits from Humanae, the photo project she started to highlight the truly multi-colored hues of humankind.

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