Bird in Space
Particulars
- Accession number
- 1989.31.3
Meanwhile, in the life of Constantin Brancusi
The whole life1925
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.
