Lot 101
Val Bertoia (1949- )
Lot 101 Details
Val Bertoia (1949- ), American
2 CURVES OF SOUND (B-2087), 2018
Fifty-six beryllium copper rods silvered to a silicon bronze plate; stamped “B-2087” to the plate, titled “2 Curves of Sound” and dated 2018 to the accompanying certificate of authenticity, signed with the artist’s initials on “16 Jan. 2018” and stamped “Bertoia”
28 x 15 x 9.75 in — 71.1 x 38.1 x 24.8 cm
Estimate $1,000-$1,500
Additional Images
Provenance:
Private Collection, Toronto, acquired directly from the artist’s studio in Bally, PA, a friend of the artist
Note:
Born in Santa Moncia, CA and based in Bally, PA, and with a background in mechanical engineering, Bertoia began making dynamic sculptures with his father in the 1970s. Working out of a barn turned studio, it was during this time that they created the “Sonambient” sculptures. These works, made of metal and drawing deep inspiration from the natural environment, are activated by touch, wind, and water in order to produce dazzling flows of movement and shimmering soundscapes. Bertoia resumed creating these haptic and mesmerising sculptures in the early 2000s.
Included online is a video of the sculpture being played. As well, Channel 69 News recently featured the artist in his studio playing an entire installation of various sound sculptures in the barn where they are still produced.