artist, designer

loran khalaf

‘In my work I got fascinated by the discolouration of the metals, and the traces of the making process itself’

Bio

Loran, he/him, 1997, born and based in Amsterdam.

Medium

Loran's versatile approach involves using a range of materials such as metal, wood, and clay to tailor his messages and ideas for each project. This ensures the most suitable material is chosen to enhance the artistic expression and impact.

Career

Loran graduated cum laude from the University of Arts Utrecht (HKU) and was recognized as a 'Rising Talent' at Dutch Design Week '22 within the Isola Design District. He also showcased his work at OBJECT Rotterdam. In addition to the design scene, Loran has exhibited in various galleries and has upcoming shows and fairs on the horizon.

When something becomes ordinary, its beauty often fades into the background. There are countless hidden treasures that people encounter daily, yet they often escape their notice. These gems can be found in the clay beneath their feet, the subtle flickering of streetlights, and the intriguing discolorations in various materials. In Loran’s (1997, The Netherlands) work, the act of revealing these concealed wonders takes center stage. Through his art, he strives to offer viewers a glimpse into his own world of wonder and awe. Simultaneously, his aim is to inspire them to uncover the beauty in the mundane, enabling them to notice the extraordinary within the ordinary as they navigate their daily lives.

Loran’s exhibited his work as a ‘Rising Talent’ at Dutch design week ‘22 with Isola Design District, at OBJECT Rotterdam and was showcased at Springplank in Utrecht. His most recent exhibition is our group show at OBJECT Rotterdam 2024.

WELDED MIRRORS 

Loran has observed a prevailing tendency to eliminate or conceal the traces of adaptations made during the creative process. Such traces are often taken for granted or even concealed by sanding or painting over them, but he discovered beauty in them. By first polishing the metal, the discolorations become the focal point in the piece. The initial polished metal serves as the ideal canvas to highlight the welding discolorations. These welding points serve a dual purpose: their traditional functional role on the back end, and their newfound aesthetic visibility on the front end. This synthesis of form and function is at the core of his artistic exploration.Loran has minimal control over the colors and the resulting patterns of dots. Together, they form a starry-like surface of random, organically created marks on the mirrors, creating a striking contrast with the mirrors’ harsh, metallic shapes. This, in turn, transforms the space into a symphony of reflections, colors, and light.

Alter house collection

BULLSEYE

“Bullseye” unveils unique aspects of steel that often escape daily notice.It is the result of an in-depth exploration into the discolorations thatemerge during the metal manufacturing process. Following the success ofthe “Welded Mirrors” project, Loran felt compelled to delve even deeper into this intriguing spectrum, shedding light on its often-overlooked significance. The concentric rings of the Bullseye Mirrors serve as a visual representation of both the inherent characteristics of the metal and the transformations it undergoes during processing. As he continued his research into these effects, his fascination with the potential of metals grew. Focusing on the welding dots that he’s been working on for some time, he’s uncovered the entire array of colors that these discolorations can offer. It’s as if he’s literally zooming in on the tiny dots from his previous work, and then enlarging them to create this new body of work. In combination with the recurring circular and gradient shapes that often appear in his exploration of metalworking traces, “Bullseye” represents a captivating journey into the hidden world of steel’s unique qualities.