Dinner Party

Artist Harry Bertoia (Italian, 1915-1978)

Datec. 1960

MediumCast and welded bronze

Dimensions8 × 19 × 8 in. (20.3 × 48.3 × 20.3 cm)

ClassificationsSculpture

Object numberUAC3887

DescriptionBorn in Italy in 1915, Harry Bertoia moved to Detroit at the age of 15 and began classes at Cass Technical High School. After graduating, he attended the College for Creative Studies, formerly the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts, and received his M.F.A. from the Cranbrook Academy of Art. Bertoia is known for his sculptures and for being a modern furniture designer, but it was not until after his furniture creations sold that he could focus on sculpting full-time. Known for his larger works made out of various metals, Bertoia crafted works that were meant to interact with nature in order to produce sound, called sonambient sculptures. Dinner Party is unlike his larger works, many of which feature long, thin pieces of metal that borrow their shape from nature, but is similar to his smaller works, which tend to be shorter, more stout and less natural looking. Despite their coil-like wrapping, the shapes within Dinner Party feel almost human. Perhaps a family, or a group of friends, is gathering to partake in a meal as suggested by the title.

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