[ Wright ] has celebrated the artworks of Harry Bertoia since their earliest auctions, therefore it is fitting that Wright presents Harry Bertoia Sculpture: 15 Years at Wright in their new New York gallery. This notable exhibition will showcase select works from their history of selling Bertoia at auction alongside works never before offered on the market. From Bush Forms, Welded Forms and Sonambients to experimental works, this comprehensive exhibition will highlight exceptional works from Bertoia’s extensive oeuvre.
Exhibition Tour & Conversation with Richard Wright | 6 february 6>8p | rsvp@wright20.com
For pricing and availability of works | 212 585 0200 | wrightny@wright20.com
980 Madison Ave | Third Floor | New York [ wright ]
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Wright presents Harry Bertoia: Masterworks from the Standard Oil Commission on 6 June 2013 at noon CST. These works have never before been presented at auction.
“As a Chicagoan, I have been very aware of Bertoia’s installation at the iconic Standard Oil Building (now the Aon Center). We are proud to have the opportunity to present these outstanding examples of Harry Bertoia’s work and we are proud to offer such strong pieces of Chicago history for sale right here in Chicago.” ~Richard Wright, Director
‘Bertoia’s Sonambient’ sculptures standout for their unique contribution to the modern art and design aesthetic. Each work is in itself a kinetic masterpiece that is activated by touch or the circulation of air; motion and energy adding visual and audible complexity to Bertoia’s otherwise minimal forms.
Bertoia coined the term Sonambient (a combination of the words sound and environment) to describe his sound sculptures of the 1960s and 1970s. He first began exploring sounding sculptures in 1960 after he accidentally struck a rod and was intrigued by the memorable and lasting tone of the metal. Until his death in 1978, Bertoia created hundreds of varied tonal constructions featuring rods of beryllium copper in a magnitude of configurations.
[ harry bertoia: master works from standard oil commission ] Each item will be presented in our online preview at [ View lots ] | 1440 West Hubbard Street Chicago | 312 563 0020 [ wright auction ]
auction > 6 june 2013 | noon CST
click > enlarge
Opening the fall auction season is Wright’s Living Contemporary sale, a thoughtfully edited auction comprised of functional and non-functional 20th and 21st century design paired with post-war and contemporary art. This sale features an outstanding selection of works by American, Argentine, Italian, Danish, French and Japanese designers.
An iconic painting by the American artist, Roger Brown, figures prominently in the auction, as does two Bertoia sculptures: a rare Dandelion and a large Spray sculpture. Exceptional works of art include those by Sam Francis, Louise Nevelson, Franz Hagenauer, Marino Marini, Matt Leines, Luciano Gaspari, Robert Loughlin, Conrad Marca-Relli and Ray Potes. An important painting by Victor Vasarely, a steel sculpture by Australian sculptor Clement Meadmore and a wrought iron and glass vase by Andre Dubreuil are also among the most highly anticipated lots of the sale.
Unparalleled craftsmanship is the hallmark of American pieces featured, such as JB Blunk’s organic-form coffee table carved from solid buckeye burl, an outstanding wall-mounted cabinet of welded and patinated steel by Paul Evans, a monumental hand-carved cabinet by Phillip Lloyd Powell, and a Conoid dining table crafted of American black walnut by George Nakashima. Extending the legacy of modern craftsmanship into the new millennium are contemporary works such as the Modern Primitive Chair by the New York based creators arandalasch, exhibited at the 2010 Venice Architecture Biennale, and three designs by the architect Steven Holl, including a stellar prototype cabinet of walnut, rubber and anodized aluminum. Works by international designers include a cast bronze and mosaic coffee table by Grillo Demo and a Delfi dining table by Carlo Scarpa and Marcel Breuer.
All lots are available for preview online at [ wright ] or through our catalog. Gallery preview 20>26 September, 10a>5p Monday > Saturday and Sunday by appointment. Wright | 1440 West Hubbard Street | Chicago. For additional information about this sale, please contact us at 312 563 0020 or email us at press@wright20.com.
