The World of Bertoia

Schiffer, Nancy and Val O. Bertoia. The World of Bertoia. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing. Ltd.,, 2003. First edition. Folio (12-1/4″ x 9-1/2″). 270pp. Index. Pictorial dust jacket with gray spine lettered in white and black, over tan cloth lettered in black. Profusely illustrated (nearly all in color). A fine, as new copy.

“Here is the fascinating story of Bertoia Studio, where Sound Sculpture was invented and new ideas of what art is were developed. Harry Bertoia (1915-1978) was the brilliant artist and Metal Craftsman at Cranbrook Academy of Art who made Ray and Charles Eames’ wedding rings before he joined them in California to help design a chair Charles was working on. He then went to Knoll Associates and made his famous Bertoia chairs. Like Alexander Calder and George Rickey, Harry Bertoia used natural movement to inspire his sculptures, and he added sound. For 35 years he produced a tremendous volume of work, including fascinating graphics, domestic-size metal sculptures, and large major commissions in cities throughout the world that people love today. Harry Bertoia was joined in the 1970s by his son, Val Bertoia, who continues to invent and create new kinds of sculpture. This book documents all the types of original work made at Bertoia Studio from the 1950s to the present. Over 500 photographs show the Bertoias’ evolution of ideas that explore the relationships of space, color, and sound. Art collectors have been passionate in their praise and enjoyment of Bertoia’s work for over fifty years.”– (Publisher)

Contents: Reflections — Family and education — Graphics — Jewelry — Chairs — Sculpture — Line & platform sculpture — Panels and screens — Wire and clouds — Welded fountains and plants — Dandelions — Pressure melting — Melt coating — Spill casting, fused bronze shot, & melt-coated panels — Bundled wires — Wire rods — Sound sculpture — Resolutions — Innovations. (52745) $75