Harry Bertoia Artist

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If you are into modern design such as in architecture, interiors, and furniture, then you probably have heard of Harry Bertoia. Of course, his most commonly seen object is his Diamond Chairs. Originally wire structures that harken to his love of metal work as in sculptures.

 

Diamond Chair, Welded Steel, 1952.
Diamond Chair, Welded Steel, 1952.

 

Diamond Chair With Cushion.
Diamond Chair With Cushion.

 

The Diamond Chairs come with solid covers for the entire seat and back which might make them more recognizable to some.

 

Diamond Chair With Cover.
Diamond Chair With Cover.

 

These chairs are still readily availabe in many different places. You can find some links to his various designs below.

Besides the Diamond Chair, he created a wire mesh side chair and a lounge chair called the Bird Chair.

 

Side Chair, 1952.
Side Chair, 1952.

 

Side Chair (Shell Chair).
Side Chair (Shell Chair).

 

Then there came the Bird Chair.

 

Bird Chair.
Bird Chair.

 

Bird Chair With Ottoman.
Bird Chair With Ottoman.

 

Bird Chair Showing Wire Mesh. (Picture from Knoll).
Bird Chair Showing Wire Mesh. (Picture from Knoll).

 

This is not all of Bertoia’s furniture but the most familiar. The amazing quality of these designs is that they continue to endure and can readily be seen in contemporary TV shows, movies, and commercials.

 

 

Bertoia did more than design furniture for Knoll, he also was a modern sculptor. He particularly favored standing steel rods that could be made to make ethereal sounds as they collided with each other. In fact, he used them like instruments to make sounds.

Untitled, Stainless Steel Wires Set in Concrete and Trimmed in Aluminum, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington DC.

His sculptures are never signed or titled.

Textured Screen, Dallas Public Library, 1954.

Here is a 1965 documentary on his sculptures, in particular his sound sculptures.

Harry Bertoia’s Sculpture.

Here is two of his sound productions:

Unfolding.
Phosphorescence.

His wife talking about Harry Bertoia:

Profiles in Excellence: Harry Bertoia.


Self-Portrait in Grey Watercolor.
Self-Portrait in Grey Watercolor.

Howard Bosler