Today, Blaise took photos of two Harry Bertoia sculptures--a massive screen and a large cloud hanging from the ceiling--featured in the phenomenally restored Manufacturer's Hanover building. The space at 510 Fifth Avenue at 43rd street, once a bank, is now home to the Canadian clothing store Joe Fresh.
Both sculptures were removed from the interior and had to be restored and re-installed in the original positions. I like the way the clothing store worked with the sculptures to feature them prominently as a major part of their decor. Originally, the Bertoia screen divided public banking from the private banking. Now it acts as the entire back wall of the bright, sprawling second floor.
NBC New York writes:
Dubbed "an architectural gem" by creative director Joe Mimran, the glass-walled building was designed in 1952 by Gordon Bunshaft (best known for the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, DC), and was made an official landmark in 1997.
Beautiful though the building may be, massive restorations were required to prime the structure for Joe Fresh's arrival, including the re-installation of a winding, 70-foot screen by sculptor Harry Bertoia, which can be seen on the second floor.It's so great. Going there feels like you have a private art viewing in a public space.
