Thanks for the advice!
I was able to get some input from other artists and a very senior museum exhibit installer, and am going to re-hang the assembly with a stainless 1x7 strand leader line, coated in nylon for appearance's sake, with clove hitches secured with crimps.
The final issue for me is in case of fire or other big heat, nylon will melt. Hadn't thought of that before hand, but the thought woke me up at 3 o'clock this morning.
There seems to be no other permanent solution than metal.
- Mlbassyaker - ha! I can almost see the bass too
Cheers,
Brice