Reinterpreting objects beyond their forms and functions
By Aurora Arazzi, with Sharrona Valezka

‘A Day in the Life’ is a series by A&M where we invite artists to share a day in their life through images accompanied by brief descriptions.

Aurora Arazzi. Photo by Maruto Adi. — Aurora Arazzi. Photo by Maruto Ardi.

Aurora Arazzi (b. 1997) is an Indonesian artist who works in paper sculpture and drawing. Based in Bandung, her practice reinterprets everyday objects beyond their tangible forms and intrinsic functions.

For this month’s ‘A Day in the Life’, Aurora gives us a glimpse into her daily routine, which includes working on her upcoming duo show under ROH Projects for Art Jakarta Gardens 2024.

Work in progress for the upcoming duo show with Luqi Lukman at Art Jakarta Gardens 2024. Image courtesy of the artist.

I am currently working on a project for my upcoming duo show with Luqi Lukman. It will be presented under ROH Projects at Art Jakarta Gardens 2024, which opens on April 23. I have been working on this project since the beginning of February.

For the show, I stay true to my main practice of creating paper sculptures using abstracted forms of everyday objects, but I have also been experimenting with new things involving object configurations, new materials, and drawings. I work on the project gradually every day, and I am happy with the overall progress. Since the process relies on intuition, it allows me to take a more playful approach to the project.

Random paper sculpture and objects around the paper pipe. Image courtesy of the artist.

The artwork primarily consists of daily sketches, which I define as a collection of found objects, treatments, replicas, assembled objects, and drawings created spontaneously on a near daily basis. Zooming in on the details of the project, the paper pipes here will act as lines. On the left and right sides of these paper pipes, I will place several drawings, paper sculptures, and objects. I also made Venetian blinds with slats made of paper. This will be hung, and I will add an accompanying mirror piece that will be created with a different presentation. This piece consists of the slats from the blinds but is displayed on the wall as a freestanding sculpture. It retains a similarity to its hanging counterpart.

Aurora’s desk in the studio. Image courtesy of the artist.

Usually, when I arrive at the studio, I clean my desk before working and then listen to music or a comedy podcast to get myself in the zone. Lately, I have enjoyed listening to 'Concerto for Philodendron & Pothos' by Mort Garson. This song and others on the album help me relax and get into a good flow for whatever I am working on. It feels like everything then goes naturally, like something is growing inside my brain. The album was specifically made for plants, and the people who love them.

Aurora examining an item in the hardware store. Photo by Maruto Ardi. Image courtesy of the artist.

During my spare time, I often go to hardware stores or supermarkets to look for objects that catch my eye. I go through this process of looking at and sorting objects based only on their forms and aesthetics, removing their name and function from my judgment. Sometimes, I buy things that I see for the first time without knowing their name or function.

A skate park where Aurora can heal her mind, body and soul. Image courtesy of the artist.

After working for a whole week, I make time to skate with my friends at a skatepark in the city on weekends. For me, skateboarding is a reward after a hard week's work, and a time to refresh and recharge my mind. I find joy in skateboarding and hanging out, eating and laughing, without having to think about work or deadlines. Sometimes, when I need to clear my mind, skateboarding on a bright day with friends is the perfect solution.

Follow Aurora on Instagram to see more of her works.

Read other ‘A Day in the Life’ stories here.

All images are courtesy of the artist.

About the Artist

Aurora Arazzi's works encompass sculpture and drawing. Aurora has her specific way of looking at everyday objects; in her perspective, objects have their own particular shapes, sides, angles and geometrical structures that can be exposed and observed beside their inherent functions.