“Chaos”

“Insan” by Wael Farran

Noor Tannir

Designer Wael Farran produces luxurious and futuristic pieces of furniture, and his new collection, labeled “Insan” (“Man”, in Arabic) is no exception to that rule. He gives Orient Palms an insight into what inspires him the most, why he chooses to create art in the way that he does, and why he thinks Beirut is the perfect city for this kind of craftsmanship.

Wael Farran is an architect, and also an artist, a creator and a collector. He has worked for 15 years in the field of art and manages two companies under his name, “Wael Farran Interior Architecture” and “Creations by WF”. He takes horrid situations, such as chaos and traps, and turns them into beautiful and creative pieces of art and furniture. His pieces are meant to convey a message about a brighter Beirut, and a brighter place where even the lowest of emotions and places can be transformed and metamorphosed into beautiful works of art.

The image features a man with a short beard and a shaved head, looking slightly off to the side. He is wearing a dark-colored garment with a high collar. The background is a solid black, creating a dramatic contrast that highlights his facial features. The lighting is soft, emphasizing the contours of his face and giving a professional or artistic feel to the image.

Farran’s “Insan” is a collection of nine unique table pieces, all made from two kinds of wood. The tables combine aesthetics and functionality as well as a refined and luxurious take on everyday household items.

Farran derives inspiration literally from “everything around him in life”, from the simple things, such as jewelry, nature, emotions, and even people: “There’s no particular rule that I follow for the furniture, how it should look like, whether traditional or abstract as long as they are aesthetically appealing, keeping their functionality and their long lasting effect.” He believes that “a good designer is a good interpreter who can see something and translate it into art”. His pieces are labeled as human emotions and life situations (Trap, Chaos, Distortion, Trust).

  • The image features a modern, artistic furniture piece, presumably a coffee table or a bench. It has a geometric design, consisting of alternating white and gold-colored rectangular segments. The top view reveals a star-like shape, with the gold segments creating a striking contrast against the white. The table appears to have a smooth finish, emphasizing its contemporary style, and is set against a simple, light-colored background which enhances its visual impact.
    “Chaos”
  • The image features a collection of tables arranged in a visually striking manner. The tables have a modern design, with a combination of white and light wood finishes. They are positioned in a way that creates a symmetrical pattern, resembling a fan or a wave. Each table has clean lines and angular legs, contributing to a contemporary aesthetic. The background is minimalistic, enhancing the focus on the tables' arrangement and design.

“Chaos”, shown above, is made of two pieces which create a form of chaos separately but, combined, produce a functional and creative coffee table made of brass and lacquered wood.

  • The image features a modern console table characterized by a sleek, minimalist design. The table has a unique asymmetrical shape, with one side made of a reflective surface that appears metallic or mirrored, while the other side is composed of a smooth, golden material. The two uneven legs create a dynamic visual effect, emphasizing the contemporary aesthetic. The overall look is elegant and striking, suitable for modern interior decor.
    “Distortion”
  • The image features a modern and minimalist desk design. The desk has a unique, angular shape, with one side displaying an artistic black script. The text appears to be in Arabic, adding a cultural element to the piece. The overall aesthetic is clean and contemporary, with a simple color palette that emphasizes the structure and the script. The background is neutral, likely to highlight the design of the desk itself.

“Distortion” evokes the layers that make up the essence of a human being: mind, body, soul, experiences, memories and emotions, as stated by Farran himself. The base which holds the table together is brass, and the wall table itself is made of acid white veneer, with steel Arabic calligraphy inlaid on top.

  • The image features a unique and artistic table that combines modern design elements. The table has a rectangular glass top, providing a clear view of the intricate patterns or colors beneath it, possibly reflecting a creative artistic work or a patterned surface. The legs of the table are made from a textured material, resembling concrete or a similar sturdy substance. They have an unconventional shape, appearing to be torn or jagged, which adds a dynamic visual interest to the piece. The overall color palette is light, with touches of gold or brass at the edges, enhancing its artistic flair. The design conveys a blend of functionality and contemporary art, making it a striking piece in any space.
    “Trap”
  • The image features a striking geometric structure made up of interwoven, colorful elements. It displays a vibrant design with blue, pink, and beige strands forming a dynamic, three-dimensional star-like shape. The intertwined lines create a sense of depth and movement, emphasizing the intricate patterns and connections between the different colors. The background is minimalistic, allowing the focus to remain on the elaborate structure itself.

The table “Trap” is made of hand patina wood with string art application. It is inspired by webs and nets to depict a literal man-made trap.

  • The image features a unique chair design that combines two distinct materials and shapes. The chair has a sculptural frame made of a textured, gray material that resembles soft, cloud-like forms. This frame is contrasted by a sleek, wooden seat that has a minimalist, angular shape. The overall aesthetic is modern and artistic, with a focus on the interplay between the organic texture of the frame and the clean lines of the seat. The background is a simple, light gray, highlighting the chair's distinctive design.
    “Trust”
  • The image features a modern, artistic piece of furniture that appears to be a table. It has a sleek, flat top with a metallic finish, possibly gold or brass, which gives it a polished look. The side of the table has a textured surface made of a clear, bubble-like material, adding a contrast to the smooth top. The angles of the table are sharp, contributing to its contemporary design. The overall aesthetic is minimalist and stylish, combining different textures and finishes.

To Wael, Beirut is a city encompassing both the modern with the traditional, the advanced and the classical to which he says. In the “Insan” collection, his tables are almost a revival of the history of Beirut from an emotional, oral, and very humanistic point of view of the city. He shows Beirut through the experiences of the people living in it and his collection draws from these experiences to “summarize the human condition and psyche”, bringing it into life with wood and brass, and a creative mind to sew all these complex philosophies together into one artwork.

“Trap”