Singing Rods

Artist Harry Bertoia American, born Italy, 1915–1978

Date1970

MediumBeryllium copper

DimensionsH. 52 in. (132.1 cm); rods set in base 9 x 9 in. (22.9 x 22.9 cm)

ClassificationsSculpture

Credit LineGift of Mary and Jim Patton

Object number2014.20.9

On View

Not on view

Label TextThis sculpture includes multiple slender beryllium copper rods placed in close proximity to each other. Each rod is topped with a thick solid cattail knocker that produces a meditative tone when struck together.

Bertoia coined the term "sonambient" to describe the bell-like sounds produced by each of his sculptures. He never made the same piece twice, always seeking a different or richer sound with varying rods or metals. Gongs and singing bars with fluctuating lengths and widths round out the sonambient orchestra.
[2022]ProvenanceCreated Barto, PA, 1970; collection of the artist. [Knoll, Washington, D.C.]; Mary and James R. Patton Jr., Great Falls, VA, February 1973; given to NCMA, 2014.

Exhibition HistoryBala Cynwood, PA, Benjamin Mangel Gallery, “Harry Bertoia Sound Sculpture,” 1978.

Exhibited 9 times at Staempfli Gallery, New York.

Raleigh, NC, North Carolina Museum of Art, “The Patton Collection: A Gift to North Carolina,” March 28–August 23, 2015.

Raleigh, NC, North Carolina Museum of Art, "The People's Collection, Reimagined," October 7, 2022–May 12, 2025. Object Rights Statement

The North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) makes images of its collection available online to support research and scholarship and to inform and educate the public. Certain works of art, as well as the photographs of those works of art, may be protected by copyright, trademark, or related interests not owned by the NCMA. The responsibility for ascertaining whether any such rights exist and for obtaining all other necessary permissions remains with the applicant. To request images and/or permissions from the NCMA, please complete our online request form.