Sculpture Group Symbolizing World’s Communication in the Atomic Age

Harry Bertoia, Sculpture Group Symbolizing World's Communication in the Atomic Age, 1959, brazed and welded brass and bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Zenith Corporation, 1979.107A-D
Harry Bertoia, Sculpture Group Symbolizing World's Communication in the Atomic Age, 1959, brazed and welded brass and bronze, 142 14231 1481 in. (361.4587.4205.8 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Zenith Corporation, 1979.107A-D

Artwork Details

Title
Sculpture Group Symbolizing World’s Communication in the Atomic Age
Date
1959
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
142 14231 1481 in. (361.4587.4205.8 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of the Zenith Corporation
Mediums
Mediums Description
brazed and welded brass and bronze
Classifications
Subjects
  • Allegory — life — Atomic Age
  • Allegory — element — energy
  • Allegory — arts and sciences — technology
  • Abstract
Object Number
1979.107A-D

Artwork Description

Harry Bertoia's sculptural installation reflects the optimism of the 1950s, when the economy boomed and broadcast television was transforming American culture. The largest cluster of the sculpture symbolizes the world transmitting light to the smaller forms that represent sight, sound, and electronic control, each of which also emits luminous impulses. Bertoia explained that "we live in a time dominated by...invisible forces....these [are] elements of the atomic and electronic age that I am trying to give sculptural shape and form." Bertoia's vision of global communications is a reality today, as satellites constantly receive and transmit signals for broadcast, cell phone, and computer communications.

Works by this artist (6 items)

Barbara Carrasco, Messages to the Public: Pesticides! (Presented by Public Art Fund, July 1, 1989-July 31, 1989 on Times Square Spectacolor board, New York City), 1989, analog video transferred to digital video; 00:48 minutes, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 2020.31, © 1989, Barbara Carrasco
Messages to the Public: Pesticides! (Presented by Public…
Date1989
analog video transferred to digital video; 00:48 minutes
Not on view
Barbara Carrasco, Dolores, 1999, screenprint on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Frank K. Ribelin Endowment, 2020.22.7, © 1999, Barbara Carrasco
Dolores
Date1999
screenprint on paper
Not on view
Barbara Carrasco, Antonia, 2005, screenprint on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Drs. Harriett and Ricardo Romo, 2019.50.1
Antonia
Date2005
screenprint on paper
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

My Body Sees You
Date1992
single-channel video, color sound; 05:58 minutes
Not on view
Head of a Misanthropic Man
Date1976-1978
analog video transferred to digital video, color, silent; looped
Not on view
Charlemagne Palestine, Running Outburst, 1975, 5:56 minutes, black & white, sound, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible by the Ford Motor Company, 2008.21.6, © 1975, Charlemagne Palestine. Courtesy Electronic Arts Intermix, NY
Running Outburst
Date1975
5:56 minutes, black & white, sound
Not on view
Bill Viola, Silent Life from The Reflecting Pool- Collected Work 1977-80, 1979, 13:14 minutes, color, sound, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible by the Ford Motor Company, 2008.21.16.3, © 1979 Bill Viola. Courtesy Electronic Arts Intermix, NY
Silent Life from The Reflecting Pool- Collected Work 1977 – 80
Date1979
13:14 minutes, color, sound
Not on view