Bird in Space

1925

The death of Erik Satie

For the last six months, while the mortally ill Satie lies in hospital, Brâncuși visits him regularly, even bringing chicken broth he has cooked himself; his friend’s death shakes him deeply, and his assistants hear him mutter “Satie, Satie, why are you no longer here?”. He wanted to put a monument, or at least a bas-relief, on Satie’s grave, but a quarrel with the composer’s brother Conrad prevented it; he did, however, photograph many of Satie’s drawings, later lost.

1926

Back to the United States: the Wildenstein and Brummer exhibitions

In 1926 Brâncuși returns to the United States: the Wildenstein Gallery presents his work in a group exhibition and then in a solo exhibition (16 February to 3 March), and on 17 November another exhibition opens at the Brummer Gallery, remaining on view until 15 December.

1926–1928

Brancusi v. United States: a bird is a work of art

During the trip United States customs officials detain a bronze “Bird in Space”, classify it as an article of metal and impose the tariff applied to manufactured objects. The case “Brancusi v. United States” ends in 1928 with the sculpture being accepted as a work of art.

1927

Isamu Noguchi as his studio assistant

In 1927 the Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi works as an assistant in Brâncuși’s studio, sawing and polishing pieces, preparing the studio and keeping the tools sharp. The experience brings him closer to direct carving in stone and wood.

1929

A portrait of James Joyce for the Black Sun Press

In 1929 Harry and Caresse Crosby commission portraits of James Joyce from Brâncuși for the limited edition of “Tales Told of Shem and Shaun”, published by the Black Sun Press. He makes profile and frontal drawings and a composition formed from a spiral and vertical lines, which Caresse selects for the frontispiece: the book calls it “Portrait of the Author”, while Brâncuși uses the title “Symbol of James Joyce”.