Harry Bertoia: The Immortal Design Genius

Famous for his collection of Bertoia Chairs, Harry Bertoia started his life on 10th March 1915 in San Lorenzo, Pordenone, Italy. When he was fifteen years old he travelled to Detroit to see his brother. His decision to stay in the USA, was to be life changing. He found an interest for jewelry making, when he attended Cass Technical High School. In 1938, Bertoia continued his studies at the Art School of Detroit Society of Arts. In 1939, he received a scholarship to Cranbrook Academy of Art and it was here that he met Ray and Charles Eames.

His professional life started off in his workshop teaching metal work and jewelry design. Metal was scarce throughout the war years and it was for this very practical reason that he focused on jewelry making at that time.

He met his wife Brigitta Valentier in the 1940's and they moved to California to work with the Eames'. They worked on a number of projects at the time, including a project with Eerio Saarinen which resulted in a method for creating moulded plywood splints. This project resulted in a process for designing furniture.

The pieces were upholstered, in the beginning, and molded over lattice steel rods and were produced manually. There was some controversy, with Herman Miller taking an action which claimed that the patent for integrating two thin wires welded on both sides of a mesh seat, was granted to Eames. Bertoia redesigned his collection using a single thick wire when Herman Miller won the case.

The Diamond Lounge Chair was a commercial success and the Bertoia Chair Collection was created. This collection includes: the Bertoia Diamond Chair, the Bird Chair, the Bertoia Side Chair, the Bertoia Bar Stool and the lesser know Asymmetric Chaise. Bertoia's objective of producing functional art pieces by bending metal rods, resulted in a collection of designer chairs that have achieved iconic status and much praise from the global design fraternity. His chairs were first made by Knoll in 1952. That they continue production to-day just shows that the designs are truly timeless. He became a fellow at the Graham Foundation in Chicago in 1957. During this period, his work focused on the relationship between sound and metal and in particular the sounds created by touching the metal or wind passing through it.

The American Institute of Architects recognised the design genius of Harry Bertoia. Harry Bertoia's name has been immortalised, by his collection of chairs. Designed in the 1950's they are a legacy that will live on for many years to come.

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