A study by Harry Bertoia for the metal screen currently installed in the MIT Chapel.

Dimensions: 51 1/2"H x 14" W (at widest point)

Provenance: From the collection of Roger Johnson. While working with Eero Saarinen on the MIT Chapel, Roger was given the sculpture from Harry Bertoia, who created the chapel’s metal screen.

Condition: There appears to be a missing arm near the bottom of the work. The brick base was added later, and since the work was originally designed to hang, it sways when moved.

Roger T. Johnson (1927–2015)

Roger T. Johnson was a distinguished Minnesota architect whose career spanned over four decades. Born on August 17, 1927, Johnson began his architectural career working for his father’s construction firm in 1941. After earning a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Minnesota in 1950, he worked at several prominent firms, including Eero Saarinen & Associates. At Saarinen’s firm, Johnson contributed to major projects such as the Milwaukee War Memorial Center (1953–1955), the Miller House, and the MIT Chapel/Auditorium. In 1957, Johnson partnered with Len Parker to form Parker and Johnson Architects before establishing his own practice from 1959 to 1999. His work focused on medical, public, and collegiate buildings, with 17 of his projects now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Harry Bertoia (1915–1978) was an Italian-American artist and designer known for his innovative work in sculpture, furniture, and sound art. He is celebrated for his sculptural metalwork, especially his “Sonambient” sound sculptures, which produce harmonic tones when touched or moved by air. Bertoia also gained recognition for designing the iconic Diamond Chair for Knoll in the 1950s—a modernist classic that blended industrial materials with elegant form. His work bridges fine art and functional design, often exploring the interaction of space, motion, and sound.