Bertoia Presentation at Tucson Museum of Contemporary Art

A presentation with photos and lecture by daughter Celia Bertoia is slotted for 5:00 pm Saturday, April 20, at the Tucson Museum of Contemporary Art - see  http://www.moca-tucson.org/event/harry-bertoia-talk/
Celia has recently become a part time resident of Tucson and is looking forward to getting to know the art community in Arizona. Hope to see you there!

How to Spot an Orginal Bertoia Chair

How to spot an Original Knoll Bertoia Chair?

Here is a link to an excellent video on how to discern the orginal chairs from the fakes. The main points to note are the tapered top wires with supporting rod behind (not on top) AND the "Knoll" inscription on the horizontal support wire near the bottom. Why should you choose an expensive original instead of a cheap reproduction?

- Because you are supporting the artist (not monetarily, as Bertoia received a lump sum and was done, but artistically and philosophically)
- You receive a quality product in the style intended by the designer
- You take ownership of furniture that is art, and retains value
- Anyone sitting in the chair gets a little piece of the designer's energy and creativity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ef5vqvwFhWw

A recent auction at Christie's offered this beautiful Bertoia screen from the Heineman estate. It sold for $578,500. Created around 1955, it's delicate organic look is amazing, isn't it?

Bertoia at Auction in Los Angeles

There is a lovely little bush for sale at L.A. Modern auctionhouse. The story behind it goes something like this: Harry and his workers often ate their lunch behind the studio in Bally. One day they noticed a large beehive, or maybe a hornet's nest, on the next door building. Harry took great interest in its shape, and soon the beehive bush was created. L.A. Modern wrote about the bush:

https://www.lamodern.com/2012/10/just-in-harry-bertoia-untitled/

L.A. Modern is located at:

16145 Hart Street
Van Nuys, CA 91406
Tel: 323-904-1950
dan@lamodern.com
www.lamodern.com

Talk at Montana State University

Calling all Montanans! Celia Bertoia will speak about her father and bring some original art at Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, in Gaines Hall on Monday, October 15, at noon, in the large lecture hall. This is free and open to the public.
     There is another talk at 1:00 at MSU on October 30 by Celia.

Looking for a Bertoia Bush / Tree

Celia is looking to purchase a bush style Bertoia, perhaps 18" tall or so. Prefer fuller rather than sparse branching, but will consider all. We need one for a Centennial show coming up in 2015. Reply here, or go to the harrybertoia.org website and use the contact.

TALK & DEMONSTRATION IN BOZEMAN, MT

For my local Bertoia fans in Montana, there will be a Bertoia talk and demo at the Bozeman Public Library on September 13th, 7:00 pm. There will be a number of Bertoia originals to peruse and play, an informative talk, and plenty of time for questions or to go in whatever direction the audience dictates.

This is your chance to meet Celia Bertoia, experience Harry Bertoia sculpture firsthand, and learn about the Mid-Century Modern movement that rocked our world. Whether you are a Bertoia fan already, or have never heard of him, or maybe saw a few Bertoia chairs in a magazine once, this is an opportunity not to be missed.

Talks on Bertoia are not given often in Bozeman - once every few years - so come on down and join us!