In the early 1970's Designer and Sculptor Harry Bertoia and his son Val, made hundreds of sound sculptures. These sculptures represent Harry Bertoia's formation of Sonambient. Sonambient was Bertoia's term to describe the spatial and tonal environment created by these sound sculptures.

Harry Bertoia created these sculptures of different shapes, length and thickness in order to achieve a range of gentle and sharp sounds. He experimented as a way to seek harmonic balance with the metal, resulting in pure, unique tones.

 

Sound Sculpture Year: 1973 Dimensions: 96" high, rods 3 square; base 15 3/4 x 15 3/4 x 1/2 Materials: Beryllium copper & bronze From: Staemplfli Gallery NY Location: Santa Ynez Comments: Initially used to summon my secretary to my office; when they clanged she would come! But at the museum, no one was allowed to clang it, not even the owner! "Don't touch!," yells the guard.

Quicktime Video

Other Pieces by Harry Bertoia    Sound Sculpture    Wind Chimes, Cathedral Series

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