Kresge Art Museum HARRY BERTOIA SOUND PIECE

Sculpture
Bertoia, Harry
American, born Italy, 1915-1978
Sound Piece
1978
Beryllium copper
39-1/2 x 16 x 16 inches


MSU purchase, funded by the Friends of Kresge Art Museum
79.17

Bertoias sound pieces are characteristically made of vertical rods fastened to a floor plate that are manually set in a swaying motion and peal with a carillon-like rise and fall. The tones are different according to the type of metals used and the thickness of the rods. In his studio home, Bertoia enjoyed activating dozens of pieces in union, producing a sound akin to that of bells ringing all over town. Dashing from one to another, he put on performances for his guests. Artists and musicians were among his ancestors and he carried on both traditions. Bertoia was born in an Italian hill town, and it is said that the sound of the ringing church bells there had a lifelong effect on him.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• HARRY
• BERTOIA
• SOUND
• PIECE
• SCULPTURE
• MUSIC
• CASS
• TECH

[GildaSnowden]

I am so glad you liked it! I was blown away by the fact that he attended the same high school as me. Many years before me, though.....

[jpallas]

Gilda,

Thanks for the treat. I haven't heard a Bertoia piece for many decades. They used to be thick around Detroit in the 1960's.

Note: I think this vid may be the longest you've every focused on one piece.

[Badahwood]

Wow. That is an amazing piece!