Harry Bertoia reinvents the Bell

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Harry Bertoia was a versatile artist. Specialist of metal, he worked for Knoll furniture makers and then became interested in sculpture. One day, knocking one of his works, it provided him with a deep and resonant sound which pleased him. This led therefore his research towards the realization of musical sculptures.

On October 15 in London, Phillips de Pury sells Sonambient, a private commission of 1976 designed for the opening of the Grieg Concert Hall (Grieghallen) in Bergen, Norway.

It consists in thirteen thin vertical metal rods in copper-beryllium, each ending in a cap, and culminating at a height of 4.66 meters. When struck, the caps collide and produce a sound that seems like that of church bells. The base is a metal plate of 91 x 91 cm.

This strange musical instrument is estimated 200 K£.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

This strange and cumbersome work has not found a buyer. Unsold.