HARRY BERTOIA 1915-1978 'Sonambiant' sculpture

Literature
Harry Bertoia: an exhibition of his sculpture and graphics, exh. cat., Allentown Art Museum, 1975, p. 46 for a similar example;
Nancy N. Schiffer and Val O. Bertoia, The World of Bertoia, Atglen, 2003, pp. 206, 209-210, 218-219, 222 and 226 for similar examples

Harry Bertoia, Italian-born American sculptor, furniture maker, artist and jewelry designer, began producing Sound Sculptures in 1959 as post script to the serendipitous event of one metal rod striking against another, producing a tonal sound. So fascinated with the outcome of these sculptures he recorded their resonance as a modernistic take on orchestrated music. The recordings are quite rare and amazing to experience; Bertoia as both artist and conductor. The Sound Sculptures explore the viewer's involvement in art, transforming them into participants experiencing the piece both visually and aurally.

Bertoia attended Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan, where he later taught. His experience at Cranbook broadened his ability to experiment with different types of metal and materials. His most beloved material for the Sound Sculptures was beryllium copper, as it gives off a soothing, pleasant sound and presents an attractive visual color. By using different lengths and diameters of metal rods, he was able to produce an amazing variety of sounds and tonal colors. The present lot beautifully illustrates Bertoia's use of sound in sculpture, along with his passion for pure form and expertise in metalwork