(Arzana, Italy, 1915–1978 Barto, USA)
Sound Sonambient Sculpture, 1970s, bronze, beryllium, copper, height 272 cm, mounted on plinth 30.5 x 30.5 cm, (PS)

With a certificate of authenticity issued by Val Bertoia, Bertoia Studio, Pennsylvania, 9 June 2009

Provenance:
Collection Antoinette Vischer, Basel

“Let’s say during the welding and after that time everything has been silent, no sounds were coming from anywhere, and when the welding has been completed then that framework which held the wire in place is removed, and for the first time I hear the sound which is almost hearing the cry of a newborn baby. You hear that voice for the first time and from there on in I begin to go through a period of acquaintance.” (Harry Bertoia harrybertoia.org)

If anything, it was a lucky accident that led to the Sound Sonambient Sculptures. Harry Bertoia bent a single heavy wire rod and, in doing so, struck another piece of metal from which a wonderful sound emanated, filling the room. In constantly seeking new and fuller sounds and sound compositions, Bertoia has created over a thousand individual pieces with different numbers of rods in diverse lengths and strengths. He added various sounding bodies to the ends of the rods. He wanted his surroundings to vibrate with sound created by his Sound Sonambient Sculptures, and used his “Sonambients” to produce numerous pieces of music and sound compositions of the same name.