Harry Bertoia
(Italian/American, 1915-1978)

"Sonambient", 1975

sound sculpture of beryllium copper, brass and wood
the thin, flexible rods set into a brass plate atop the carved wooden base in a manner to encourage movement and thus produce sound, presented on a black acrylic and lucite base.
sculpture h. 37", w. 8-3/4", d. 8-3/4"; base h. 36", w. 14", d. 14"

Provenance: The Estate of Bonnie Bolding Swearingen, Birmingham, Alabama.

Notes: In 1960, inspired by the sounds various types and lengths of metal rods made when gently manipulated, the Italian-born sculptor and metal worker Harry Bertoia began his series of "tonal" or sound-producing sculptures. Ranging from miniscule to monumental, these Sonambient sculptures, as they soon became known, proved to be one of the artist's most enduring legacies. Experimenting with several metals, it was with the richly patinated beryllium copper that Bertoia found his preferred material, though he would frequently incorporate other metals to create a specific sound or resonance.

In 1975, Bertoia designed the large, multi-structured installation at Standard Oil Building Plaza in Chicago - now known as Aon Center. The then Chairman and Chief Executive of Standard Oil was John Swearingen and the Building and its accompanying Plaza was due entirely to his vision and determination; he believed that Standard Oil's headquarters should reflect its reputation as a leading American corporation. Swearingen was involved in every aspect of the construction, from choosing the site, vetting architectural firms and overseeing the blueprints. At its completion in 1974, it dominated the Chicago skyline as the tallest building. A small-scale model of the Standard Oil Building, the sculpture here was gifted to him by the artist. It is composed of long, thin beryllium copper rods set vertically within a brass plate, all atop a wooden base. When in motion, the rods produce a distinctive sound.

This sculpture is from the Estate of Bonnie Swearingen; it had been especially bequeathed to her by her husband in his will.