Details Update: Shows, Sonambient, Book...

Just finished the final edits on the book, The Life and Work of Harry Bertoia, whew. You other authors out there know how incredibly tedious it is to search for missing commas, misspellings, and index page numbers! But it is looking good and out of my hands now. Wrote book, check.


30 Monotypes just shipped to Italy for their show. Eleanor, do-it-all assistant of the foundation, pulled through like a champ on this project. Pick up was 4 hours late, more forms had to be filled out at the last moment, craziness all around, but got 'er done. They will also have a few sculptures and some Bertoia furniture. Those of you in Europe, don't miss it - the Pordenone Museum Bertoia show starts at the end of January. The Civic Museum of Pordenone recently named one of their galleries the Harry Bertoia Gallery - very touching and lovely of them. Italian show, check.


Monday another 30 monotypes get shipped to Susquehanna for their upcoming Bertoia show. Confirm crate weights, which address to use, any steps to loading area? All good. They will have a few sculptures as well. They recently completed a major renovation of their museum and this will be the first show in the new facility. They are very excited, as am I. PA show, check.


The vinyl edition of the re-issue of Sonambient is wildly expensive to produce, at least in comparison with electronic versions. We are seeking funding for it, and have a good lead from a reputable company. We'll keep you posted on that. Get figures together, talk to the right people, get a spiffy PDF to them. Data submitted for funding, check.


Those are just a few details from the daily life of the Harry Bertoia foundation. That's what life is; details, details, details. Do a good job with the details and it pays off in the long run. Be grateful for the gifts, and give your own gifts where possible. Enjoy life. Like Harry said, “Awareness of the miracle of life may be the purpose of life…”

LATE 2014 AND INTO 2015

A special gift for your professional client, favorite artsy friend, spouse, or even yourself, is a piece of the limited edition Bertoia jewelry, see http://harrybertoia.org/store.html   These are finely crafted exact replicas of Harry's originals available only through the website. The photos are good, but to see them in person is better. Christmas is closer than you think. For that very special human who has everything, your gift will stand out if it is a Bertoia Table Tonal limited edition; a personal sounding sculpture.


The Bertoia Centennial happenings for 2015 begin in January. Important Records will re-issue the vinyl set of Sonambient recordings that were initially released in 1978. They will also be available in CD or downloadable formats. If you've never experienced Sonambient, you can hear a sampling at http://harrybertoia.org/sonambient.html  It is mysterious, other worldly, music of the spheres, and mostly indescribable.


The Life and Work of Harry Bertoia, a biography written by his daughter Celia Bertoia, is slotted for release in early 2015. Although packed with the history and technical details of Bertoia's work, there are lots of anecdotes and personal stories that only a family member would be privy to. The reason Harry was a great artist is because he was a great man.


Exhibitions will be literally all over the world:
January to April: Pordenone, Italy (near Harry's hometown), 50 miles north of Venice featuring monotypes, sculptures, furniture, recorded interviews, videos and more
Also events at the Harry Bertoia Natal home in San Lorenzo, Italy
January to April: Susquehanna Art Museum, Harrisburg, PA focusing on monotypes
Summer 2015: Cranbrook Art Museum, near Detroit, MI (Harry's alma mater) will feature a show concentrating on Harry's jewelry, the first time in decades.
Summer 2015: Solway Gallery represents the monotype drawings and prints and has a rotating display in Ohio.


Several other possibilities are not yet concrete enough to divulge but we'll keep you posted.


In the meantime, we'll be working on the beginnings of a catalogue of the monotypes. Once we have our feet wet with the monographics, we will begin on the sculpture. These are huge projects, so if any of you graduate students or interested retirees care to join in, we welcome you! The HarryBertoia foundation invites eager helpers, donations, expertise and is also happy to listen to your Harry stories!

Tucson Modernism is a fabulous program of speakers and tours in Arizona. See schedule and details:    http://tucsonmod.com/     
Celia Bertoia will speak on Saturday, 11:30 AM, October 4, at 3925 E 5th St at the Faith Lutheran Church (a 50s icon) in Tucson about her father's chair designs and a lot more. Celia and her husband spend a couple of months in Tucson around this time of year; it's a nice break from Montana's gray season. The talk requires a $5 ticket. She'll have some original jewelry to show off. Come!

All Things Bertoia in Bozeman, MT

All Things Bertoia – Art Exhibition

Here is a treat for Montanans:

WHERE: MSU Cheever Hall Lower Gallery, 11^th near Garfield in Bozeman, MT
WHEN: Opening reception of Bertoia Exhibition at Cheever Hall 5:00 – 7:00 pm Friday, September 12^th
WHAT: Show from September 2 - October 9, 2014, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday
COST: The Harry Bertoia Exhibition is free and open to the public
AND: Related lecture on the work and life of Harry Bertoia in Gaines Hall 101 TBD by Celia Bertoia

WHO to CONTACT: Sharon Matney, 994-2921 or Celia Bertoia, 587-8297 celiabertoia@harrybertoia.org

You'll see a sampling of Bertoia's work from tiny to tall. Harry Bertoia, a Midcentury Modern metal worker, designed iconic wire grid chairs, handcrafted silver jewelry, constructed monumental public sculptures, tooled monographics and created sounding sculptures. Come see the exhibition sponsored by the MSU Department of Architecture featuring samplings of all of Bertoia’s work from bushes to tonals. If the name does not sound familiar, it will; you have seen the chairs in magazines. Bertoia worked with Charles Eames, Eero Saarinen, and IM Pei. His daughter, Celia Bertoia, has made Bozeman her home. While she spends much time traveling and lecturing on Bertoia all over the country, the Architecture Department invited her to do so in her hometown and she is thrilled.

Presentation on Harry Bertoia in Kennett Square (near Philly)

Friday the 13th is your lucky day. Celia Bertoia, youngest daughter of Harry Bertoia, will speak on her father's modern designs and how he influenced our era. Scout and Annie (eclectic vintage home goods store) will host the evening in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Call Tara 484 732-8554 or email tara@scountandannie.com  to RSVP or ask more details. See http://www.scoutandannie.com/


6:30 Light sandwiches and refreshments at Philter Coffeehouse, 111 West State Street, Kennett Square (please RSVP)
7:00 Presentation on Harry Bertoia, his life and designs at Philter as above
8:15 Stroll to 125 East State Street, Scout and Annie's store, for a meet and greet with Celia Bertoia
9:00 Wrap it up and take your memories and inspiration home with you!


Hope to see you there.

Interview on Dwell

Read about Harry Bertoia's jewelry and what it was like growing up with him in a very personal interview of Celia Bertoia. See article here:  http://www.dwell.com/profiles/article/harry-bertoias-jewelry-design

DETAILS OF CALIFORNIA TALKS

Get a chance to touch a few original Bertoia sculptures. Hear about what an amazing man this mid century modernist really was. You'll get the inside scoop on the Eames - Bertoia connection. Celia has all kinds of wonderful stories that only a daughter could tell. There will be plenty of time for questions and chatting. Plus just to walk around a Design Within Reach showroom is a tour through modernism history. The Santa Monica DWR is just off the Promenade. The San Francisco DWR just opened this year and is spectacular. Join us.

Thursday, April 10^th, 7:00 – 9:00 PM

Design Within Reach, Santa Monica

332 Santa Monica Blvd

Santa Monica, CA       310 274-7243

Wednesday, April 16^th, 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Design Within Reach, San Francisco

200 Kansas St

San Francisco, CA       415 638-4700

Celia Bertoia to speak in California

Celia Bertoia, Harry's youngest daughter, will give a presentation on his life and work at Santa Monica's Design Within Reach, a modern furniture showroom. 332 Santa Monica Blvd, just off the 3rd St Promenade, on Thursday April 10, 7 - 9:00 PM. She will bring a few small original Bertoias, talk about the chairs and sculpture, and give you a taste of who this magnificent artist was as a man.


Another April presentation on Bertoia may happen at the Design Within Reach in San Francisco at their beautiful new showroom. It is not yet confirmed, but when it is, we'll let you know.


If you would like to schedule a talk in your town, write or call at the HarryBertoia.org contact page.

Two notices about original Harry Bertoia art for sale:


Wright auction has opened a new branch in New York City (the home office is in Chicago) and their first featured artist is 15 Years of Harry Bertoia. The bush selection is fantastic, plus a gorgeous dandelion and a wide variety of other pieces that is astounding. Open for public viewing until February 15th, see: http://www.wright20.com/exhibitions/preview/2014/1/bertoia/


Abby M Taylor Fine Art has a few fine tonal sculptures and sprays by Bertoia for sale. See: http://www.amtfineart.com/artists/harry-bertoia/


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