Fallen Palm Bench by Khalid Shafar

A prototype by the Emirati designed Khalid Shafar, the Fallen Balm Bench has a seat edged like the trunk of a palm tree. The body is crafted from ash and walnut wood, while the legs are made of metal. Since the jagged shape is obviously not so comfortable to sit on by itself, the design is upholstered with local goat’s hair in a black, feathery cushion. More than an interesting sight, the bench is also a practical storage unit with slide-out drawers at either end. The boundary-pushing design is part of part of Fast Forward, an exhibition of Emirati art and design. The show will be open to the public at UCLA’s Fowler Museum from January 25 – March 8, 2015.