The city of Detroit is experiencing a significant Harry Bertoia revival, centered around the rediscovery and restoration of a massive 26-foot suspended sculpture. Originally commissioned in 1970 for a Michigan mall and long presumed lost or destroyed during building demolitions, the steel-wire and brass work was found languishing in a basement in 2017. Following an extensive restoration process, the monumental piece has been installed in General Motors' new global headquarters at the historic Hudson’s site, a feat that required complex engineering and a five-story opening in the building's facade.
This resurgence matters as it highlights the enduring legacy of Mid-Century Modernism and the specific influence of the Cranbrook Academy of Art on American industrial and sculptural design. The installation serves as a precursor to a major retrospective planned by Cranbrook to mark the 90th anniversary of Bertoia’s arrival at the institution. By returning this 'lost' masterpiece to public consciousness, the project reinforces the historical link between Detroit’s automotive industry, architectural heritage, and the avant-garde artists who shaped the aesthetic of the 20th century.