DETROIT -- The journey of art often mirrors a cycle of creation, admiration, and rediscovery. In Detroit, the mid-century modern sculptor and sound artist Harry Bertoia is experiencing a revival, both in a metaphorical and literal sense. A significant sculpture, once thought to be lost, has reemerged in the city, prompting the Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bertoia's alma mater, to plan a retrospective exhibition celebrating the 90th anniversary of his arrival.
Originally commissioned in 1970 by the J.L. Hudson Company for the Genesee Valley Mall in Flint, Michigan, Bertoia's 26-foot suspended sculpture consists of clusters of steel-wire rods elegantly coated in brass, bronze, and metal alloys. Its striking design makes it hard to believe it could ever be misplaced.
However, after the mall's renovation in 1980, the sculpture was relocated to Northland Mall in Southfield, Michigan, and subsequently disappeared from public view. For decades, it was presumed lost, until a fortunate discovery in 2017 revealed the piece hidden in the basement of the former mall. The City of Southfield acquired the artwork and initiated a comprehensive restoration process to revive it from years of neglect.
General Motors (GM) has long been associated with Bertoia and his contemporaries. In 1948, architect Eero Saarinen, a fellow Cranbrook student, designed GM's Global Technical Center in Warren, Michigan. Bertoia's contribution, the "Untitled Wall Screen," a monumental 36-foot-long sculpture, has graced the building since 1955. With the recent renovation of GM's headquarters in the Hudson's building, the decision to reinstall Bertoia's work was a fitting homage to his legacy.
The installation required significant engineering, including the creation of a five-story opening in the building's side. Celia Bertoia, the artist's daughter and director of the Harry Bertoia Foundation, expressed her delight at the sculpture's new display, although access remains limited to GM employees.
For those eager to see more of Bertoia's work, a major retrospective titled Harry Bertoia: A Homecoming is set to open at the Cranbrook Art Museum in June 2027. This exhibition will feature over 100 pieces, showcasing the breadth of Bertoia's artistic contributions.
As Andrew Blauvelt, the museum's director, noted, Bertoia's innovative approach to sound and material in art is more relevant today than ever. The resurgence of his work in Detroit signifies a broader appreciation for his pioneering spirit, suggesting a promising future for the intersection of creativity and technology in the art world.
