Hello Friends,
In keeping with easier, more fun communication technology, I will be phasing out of this blog and switching over to the below sites. Not that I've been very consistent with this one, but hopefully the new sites will be better and more regular.
For general information: https://harrybertoiafoundation.myshopify.com/
For stories on recent happenings: https://social.shorthand.com/Harry_Bertoia/
For a while, I'll post a directional notice here until this blog dies.
Thank you!
Celia
Sunday, October 16, 2016
The Pickers Guide to Real Bertoia Chairs
For all you pickers, estate sale nuts, and general Bertoia chair fans,
We now have an article that lines out the main details to look for in an authentic Bertoia for Knoll chair. See:
https://harrybertoiafoundation.myshopify.com/pages/chairs
We now have an article that lines out the main details to look for in an authentic Bertoia for Knoll chair. See:
https://harrybertoiafoundation.myshopify.com/pages/chairs
Bertoia lecture in Tucson
Hello Friends!
I'll be speaking about my father Harry Bertoia, the history of the chairs, and an overview of his other works. We'll have limited edition jewelry and books available. Bring your friends! We always have a good time.
Thursday, September 8, 2016
Harry Bertoia presentations in Florida
Celia will speak on her father's work and life, and especially chairs, at:
Design Within Reach (sponsored by Knoll)
Wednesday, September 14, 5:30 to 7:30
230 Clematis St
West Palm Beach, FL
561 833 1799
OR
Knoll Miami
Thursday, September 15, 5:30
200 S Biscayne Blvd, Ste 1700
Miami, FL
305 571 0900
RSVP to Janine:
jcleveland@knoll.com
We'll have The Life and Work of Harry Bertoia books and limited edition jewelry available for sale.
See you there!
Design Within Reach (sponsored by Knoll)
Wednesday, September 14, 5:30 to 7:30
230 Clematis St
West Palm Beach, FL
561 833 1799
OR
Knoll Miami
Thursday, September 15, 5:30
200 S Biscayne Blvd, Ste 1700
Miami, FL
305 571 0900
RSVP to Janine:
jcleveland@knoll.com
We'll have The Life and Work of Harry Bertoia books and limited edition jewelry available for sale.
See you there!
Monday, June 13, 2016
HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR BERTOIA SCULPTURE
Let's say you have an original
Bertoia sculpture. First off, congratulations on your good taste and wise
investment! Secondly, you may wonder how to best care for your piece. It
depends on what's going on.
DUST & GRIME: Unless you have a fragile delicate piece, most Bertoias can stand a gentle spray of plain water. Take it outside, turn on your spray hose and wash it down. Make sure to dry thoroughly with a clean cloth. You won't want to leave water spots or give it a chance to rust. If it's still really grimy, take a dab of mild dish soap (such as Ivory Liquid) and mix with warm water. With an old toothbrush or gentle brush, lightly scrub your sculpture. It may be difficult to reach inside or deep in the curves, but just do your best. Then rinse with plain water, and then dry it off. Most metal sculptures are fairly robust. Unless you use intense chemicals, you probably won't hurt it.
DISCOLORATION, RUST, WHITE SPOTS: HarryBertoia foundation recommends a cleaning product called CLR (Calcium, Lime, Rust) to remove light spots. Follow instructions on the container. Don't let it sit on the surface for too long as it may begin to eat away at the metal or the patina. Do NOT use sandpaper or a metal brush – it is too rough and will destroy the surface of the metal. If your sculpture has acquired an undesirable greenish coating, the above should help.
NON-PATINATED METAL: If you have, for example, a sounding sculpture that was once shiny and bright but has darkened considerably, it is OK to shine it up again, in our opinion. If you plan to sell it soon, or place it in an exhibition, or display it publicly, it would be best to check with your auctioneer or museum director, as they may have other ideas. The metal polish called MAAS (available at www.maasinc.com) works really well. Follow package directions. Make sure you get all the polish off and rub with a soft clean cloth.
CENTENNIAL TABLE TONAL: These limited edition sculptures are not patinated, so you can polish them as desired, as specified above for non-patinated metal. If your piece has collected dust or pet hair between the rods, take a strip of cloth or Q-tip and slide it back and forth until the dust is removed.
BENT ROD: If a rod of a tonal has accidentally been bent out of place or pushed in, disrupting the orderly placement, you can bend it back with patience and gentleness. Simply pull, or push, about halfway up the rod, in the opposite direction slightly further than the original position. If it’s in the middle and you can only reach the top of the rod, then go ahead and put your finger on top of it and push slightly past the right place. Make sure you don’t mistakenly pull along a straight rod. If it's still not right, do it again. Do it in small increments. Once you are satisfied with the position, that’s all there is to it. If they are too damaged you will need to have a professional handle it. If the rod is bent at an angle, chances are slim that you will be able to repair it because it may break before you can get it back in position.
DUST & GRIME: Unless you have a fragile delicate piece, most Bertoias can stand a gentle spray of plain water. Take it outside, turn on your spray hose and wash it down. Make sure to dry thoroughly with a clean cloth. You won't want to leave water spots or give it a chance to rust. If it's still really grimy, take a dab of mild dish soap (such as Ivory Liquid) and mix with warm water. With an old toothbrush or gentle brush, lightly scrub your sculpture. It may be difficult to reach inside or deep in the curves, but just do your best. Then rinse with plain water, and then dry it off. Most metal sculptures are fairly robust. Unless you use intense chemicals, you probably won't hurt it.
DISCOLORATION, RUST, WHITE SPOTS: HarryBertoia foundation recommends a cleaning product called CLR (Calcium, Lime, Rust) to remove light spots. Follow instructions on the container. Don't let it sit on the surface for too long as it may begin to eat away at the metal or the patina. Do NOT use sandpaper or a metal brush – it is too rough and will destroy the surface of the metal. If your sculpture has acquired an undesirable greenish coating, the above should help.
NON-PATINATED METAL: If you have, for example, a sounding sculpture that was once shiny and bright but has darkened considerably, it is OK to shine it up again, in our opinion. If you plan to sell it soon, or place it in an exhibition, or display it publicly, it would be best to check with your auctioneer or museum director, as they may have other ideas. The metal polish called MAAS (available at www.maasinc.com) works really well. Follow package directions. Make sure you get all the polish off and rub with a soft clean cloth.
CENTENNIAL TABLE TONAL: These limited edition sculptures are not patinated, so you can polish them as desired, as specified above for non-patinated metal. If your piece has collected dust or pet hair between the rods, take a strip of cloth or Q-tip and slide it back and forth until the dust is removed.
BENT ROD: If a rod of a tonal has accidentally been bent out of place or pushed in, disrupting the orderly placement, you can bend it back with patience and gentleness. Simply pull, or push, about halfway up the rod, in the opposite direction slightly further than the original position. If it’s in the middle and you can only reach the top of the rod, then go ahead and put your finger on top of it and push slightly past the right place. Make sure you don’t mistakenly pull along a straight rod. If it's still not right, do it again. Do it in small increments. Once you are satisfied with the position, that’s all there is to it. If they are too damaged you will need to have a professional handle it. If the rod is bent at an angle, chances are slim that you will be able to repair it because it may break before you can get it back in position.
PROFESSIONAL REPAIRS: If your art is badly damaged or in need of
serious conservation, there is hope. There may be capable metalsmiths or art
conservators in your area, but we have found experienced Bertoia repair
sources:
Good luck!
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Give Big Gallatin Valley May 3rd
GIVE BIG GALLATIN VALLEY (BOZEMAN, MT)
On May 3rd, the Bozeman Area Community Foundation is
supporting local foundations with a community-wide fund raising effort, Give
Big Gallatin Valley. Perhaps you’ve heard it on the radio, seen it in the paper,
or noted it on Facebook.
HarryBertoia Foundation is participating for the first time
in this wonderful local event. If you enjoy the HarryBertoia Foundation’s
offerings and support their work, this is your chance to show it.
The DONOR LOUNGE OPEN HOUSE is from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at 2791
Butch Cassidy Drive, Bozeman, MT, in Outlaw Subdivision (near the airport).
View numerous original Bertoias, sit in a Bertoia chair, purchase a signed copy
of The Life and Work of Harry Bertoia, and get a better idea of what we do and
what he did. Don’t feel pressured to donate if you just want to see what’s
happening – please come visit!
Here is how it works. Three ways to give big:
1. Give online: Go to www.givebiggv.org and find HarryBertoia and give big!
Enter HarryBertoia in upper right and click on give big.
2. Give a gift of cash or check: Go
to our Check Donation Station (new this year!)
from 10am - 4pm at First Interstate Bank (202 W. Main St.) on May 3rd only. Make out your check to BACF (Bozeman
Area Community Foundation) with HarryBertoia in the memo line.
3. Donor Lounges: Go
to the Donor Lounge, give online and get a free incentive for giving! A
win-win! Our Donor Lounge is from 3 – 5
pm at 2791 Butch Cassidy Drive. Go out the Frontage Road toward the airport
and turn north on Nelson Road, then right into Outlaw Subdivision.
Hope to see you there!
Monday, April 4, 2016
Tempe Talk on Bertoia, April 21st
Daughter Celia Bertoia will speak about her father’s life and work with the aid of photos and a few original pieces and furniture. She will be signing her books, The Life and Work of Harry Bertoia; the Man, the Artist, the Visionary, and will also have some limited edition Bertoia jewelry items for sale.
There will be ample chance to ask questions and mingle. Sponsored by Knoll and held in their showroom in Tempe. Booksigning 5:30 pm, lecture 6:30 pm on April 21st. Note the time change - it begins at 5:30, not 5:00 as stated on some flyers. 74 E Rio Salado Parkway, Suite 300, Tempe, AZ.
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
More on Real vs. Knock-off chairs
Soon, I will post a blog that gives a lot more tips on finding the real deal in chairs. Someone asked when the Knoll inscription began on the frame. It was sometime in the mid 90's is what I've heard, but am trying to verify that with Knoll. More coming...
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