Harry Bertoia
HARRY BERTOIA "SONAMBIENT" SCULPTURE, 1975
Italian-born American artist Harry Bertoia (1915-1978), is a noted sculptor and modern furniture designer. He is arguably one of the most successful creative forces hired by Florence Knoll in the 1950's. His metal wire chairs are true icons of 20th century design and remain in production today.
His sculptural work was revered alongside his design career, gaining him notable artist grants, exhibitions, and an impressive number of commissions for public works including his striking altar piece in the MIT Chapel. His first European sculptural exhibition was at the US Pavilion of the 1958 Brussels World's Fair, alongside Alexander Calder.
Bertoia created his Sonambient (his own coined and registered term) works with aesthetic, sonic, and kinetic properties in mind. The word is a combination of "sound" and "ambient," reflecting the notion that these works fill their surrounding environments with harmonic, resonant sound. Although the wire chairs have been extraordinarily successful, these tonal, sounding sculptures are most often associated with his artistic legacy.
Bertoia first started prototyping his sounding sculptures in the early 1960s. A variety of metals were used, the most common being beryllium copper, which is known for having a range of tonal and pigment variation. He would set these metal rods in rows or grids into flat, metal bases, sometimes fitting them with cylindrical tops, emulating cattails and enhancing the swaying of the forms.
Each sounding sculpture is unique visually, dynamically, and sonically. Bertoia created a large number of these works, ranging from a few inches to twenty feet tall.
Between 1968-1969, Bertoia selected about 100 tonal sculptures to store in his barn, using the space as a recording studio and concert hall for close friends and fortunate visitors. With the help of his audiophile brother, Bertoia recorded 11 studio albums of the Sonambient pieces being activated. The albums were re-issued in 2016 by Important Records.
Bertoia's contribution to sound-art is commendable, his ability to combine aesthetic, kinetic, and auditory considerations remarkable. This piece would be a wonderful addition to any Mid-Century Modern collection, acting not only as a joy to look at, but as a work that is meant to be activated, offering a unique opportunity to slow down, listen, and ponder.
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"Untitled" (Cattail Sonambient Sculpture)
Beryllium copper rods on brass base
USA, c. 1975
17.5"H 9.25"W 2.75"D
Very good condition. Untouched vintage patina.
Provenance: purchased from the Medici-Berenson Gallery (Florida) in 1980. Original bill of sale available. Single owner.
Note: this sculpture was added to the Harry Bertoia catalog raisonné in 2004 and is registered as SO.TO.425
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