Harry Bertoia
American, born Italy 1915–1978
Sounding Sculpture, c. 1970–78
Beryllium copper and brass
Purchase with funds provided by the Friends of Art Acquisition Fund, the Christian A. Johnson Memorial Fund, the Walter Cerf Art Fund, and gift (by exchange) of Carmen Walker Class of 1911, Wilbur F. Weeks ’47, Prudence Montgomery, and Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence McCoy
2005.049
Over the course of his career Harry Bertoia created drawings, paintings, prints, jewelry, and furniture, in addition to sculpture. He is best known for his 1950s chair designs for Knoll International furniture makers and his public sculptures.
In his work Bertoia sought to involve all of the senses in aesthetic enjoyment. To this end he created hundreds of sculptures that were not purely visual, but rather tactile and even aural. For these “sounding sculptures” Bertoia found inspiration in his lifelong interest in music. Using industrial metalworking techniques, he constructed these sculptures by welding many slender copper rods onto metal bases.
Unlike other sculptures in the Museum, Bertoia’s work is meant to be touched and heard. Please feel free to GENTLY brush your hand across the top of this sculpture to make it sing.
Molly Nora ’06
Museum Intern