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1928
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Born Armand Pierre Fernández on November 17 in Nice to Antonio Francisco Fernández and Marie Marguerite Jacquet Fernández. His father, an immigrant from Algeria, owns an Antique shop.
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1934-1940
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Attends the Cours Poisat school for girls because his family do not want to seperate him from his best friend, Micheline.
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1936
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Plays chess for the first time, and devotes himself to improving his skills through studying books on the game. This passionate dedication to a subject would characterize him throughout his life.
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1940
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Enters the Lycée de Nice in September, but is expelled three months later. Attends boarding schools in Grasse and Vence before returning to Lycée de Nice.
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1946
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Receives Baccalaureate in Philosophy and Mathematics from the Cours de Vienne. Enters the Ecole Nationale d'Arts Décoratifs de Nice. Leaves in 1949 in protest against the social conservatism of the school administration. Develops an interest in collecting antiques, in particular Chinese Porcelain, and buys at auction for local dealers.
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1947
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Meets Yves Klein and Claude Pascal at a judo class; the three become lifelong friends. For next two summers hitchhike together through Europe.
In admiration of Vincent van Gogh, who signed only his first name on his paintings, they decide to give up their surnames. Until 1953, the three are strongly involved, spiritually and intellectually, with Zen Buddhism, Rosicrucianism, Gurdjieff, and Astrology.
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1949
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Moves to Paris to study Archaeology and Oriental art at the Ecole du Louvre in order to become an auctioneer.
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1951
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Leaves the Ecole du Louvre and goes to Madrid with Klein to teach at the Bushido-Kai Judo school. Klein leaves for Japan at the end of the year, returning to France in 1953.
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1952
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Serves in the medical corps of the French marines. Assigned briefly to Vietnam.
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1953
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Returns to Nice. In February marries Eliane Radigue (seperated, 1967; divorced, 1971). They have three children: Franҫoise, Anne and Yves.
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1955
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Works in Nice at various jobs, including scuba fishing and selling furniture, cars, and appliances.
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1957
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Travels to Iran, Turkey, and Afghanistan with a friend researching proto-Sumerian cuneiform languages with the French archeological mission.
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1958
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The printer for the group exhibition catalogue at Galerie Iris Clert, Paris, inadvertently omits the "d" from Armand. Initially outraged by the error, the artist decides he prefers to be known as Arman.
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1961-1968
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Lives for several months of the year at the Chelsea Hotel, New York City.
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1962
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Yves Klein dies in Paris.
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1968
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Meets Corice Canton in the south of France.
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1969
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Lives in a small house on Church Street in lower Manhattan while in United States.
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1970
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April - Moves to a loft in Soho and continues to commute between Europe and the United States.
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1971
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Marries Corice Canton on July 13.
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1972
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Studies, with his wife, the martial art Kung Fu Wu Su.
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1973
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Becomes an American citizen, and adopts the official name of Armand Pierre Arman.
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1975
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Summer - Plays Go with Japanese master Isamu Haruyama in Vence, France.
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1976
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Continues to practice Kung Fu.
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1977
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Isamu Haruyama visits New York. Arman works at a new studio on Canal Street, in lower Manhattan.
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1979
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Travels extensively in China. Visits ancient archaeological sites and artistic centers.
December - Travels to Moscow, USSR.
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1981
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Gives up Go and spends less time on his African art collection.
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1982
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December 2 - Daughter, Yasmine Valentine Arman is born.
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1984
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January - Travels to Belgium, Switzerland, and France.
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1985
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Moves from Soho to Tribeca.
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1987
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January 17 - Son, Philippe Alexandre, is born.
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2005
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Dies in October.
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