The UC Santa Cruz (UCSC) art department displayed Nikoo Rajai’s senior show, “Come Look at Clutter” in the Eduardo Carrillo Senior Gallery from Nov. 21 to Dec. 3, showcasing art ranging from printmaking, and digital photography to paper mache sculptures and polaroids.
Rajai, a fifth-year plant sciences and art major, told City on a Hill Press they wanted to display an exhibit that would have a little bit for everyone. Their exhibit simultaneously captured various parts of their identity through an array of mediums, while exploring the spectrum of organization and randomness. From catalogues of memories and obsessions, to a compulsive bronze scorpion birthday cake, Rajai created an atmosphere that feels distinctly human.
Rajai cited other UCSC student exhibits, as well as the “purposeful randomness” of the I Spy books she enjoyed as a child, as her main inspirations for the exhibit. Rajai’s show reminds viewers of one of art’s most important yet often neglected aspects: it’s fun.
Various prints of Rajai’s nature digital photography hang on the centermost wall of the gallery.
To the left of the digital photography prints, Rajai features paper mache masks, and an axe made using other natural materials such as olive oil and the branch of a redwood tree. Additionally, this section of the gallery features “Bronze,” a bronze sculpture of a birthday cake topped with a scorpion that, to Rajai, represents “a combo of things that ordinarily are ephemeral.”
Next to the sculpture display rests a photo print of Rajai’s rugby teammates. Below the print, propped up on a cardboard shelf sits a photobook, with a note of gratitude from Rajai.
To the left of the rugby photobook, sits a collection of numerous polaroids taken on Rajai’s father’s old camera. The polaroids line two walls and are dated and displayed in a scrapbook that rests under one of the walls. These polaroids highlight various parts of Rajai’s personal life, capturing adventures with friends, photos of her girlfriend and mother, as well as pets. 
Below the polaroid-covered wall is a collage of Cousin Latess’ artwork accompanied by handwritten captions. 
Another section of the showcase is centered on Rajai’s darkroom photography. Darkroom photography is created using silver halide light sensitive films in cameras, which is then chemically processed in the dark to create prints. The black and white prints are of different architectural features.
The leftmost wall features print-making pieces. Printmaking is an artistic process that centers around transferring images from a template usually being wood, glass or metal onto another surface, most often paper or fabric. Rajai lists her personal process of creating each print in a book that compiles other printmaking work.
Near the exit to the gallery, on a cardboard shelf lays various post-it notes, featuring candy and attendee praise for the showcase.
