It was on November 17, 1928, that young Armand Pierre Fernandez, the son of a furniture seller from Nice, was born in the city of Nice. Due to a typographical error on an invitation card, he would become known as Arman, and would forever be the leader of the “Nouveaux Réalistes.”
His critical view of our consumer society took him around the world, leaving behind legendary works such as his sculpture made of concrete from tanks in Martyrs’ Square in Beirut, as well as those at St Lazare station in Paris, composed of suitcases and clocks.
Arman, who passed away last Saturday in New York at the age of 76, leaves behind a large void in an artistic world that is gradually losing its old masters, who are, as in every society, the foundation of knowledge.
Goodbye, Arman, and say hello to Folon for us in the artists’ heaven!
Franck Viano