Arman (actual name Armand Fernandez) was born in 1928 in Nizza and died in 2005 in New York. The French object artist is a founder and one of the most important members of the group „Nouveaux Réalistes“.

Arman attended the School of Arts in Nizza and the École du Louvre, École National des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. His object art paintings were exhibited in many European cities.

Very early Arman made friends with Yves Klein. At that time he began to soak in ink and then press to paper different objects, like chains, cans, keys and so on. In this way he attracted attention to the separate readymade objects. So trash bins or paper boxes became used in clothing industry. They were followed by piling similar things, like radios, wheels or ampoules in boxes or Perspex. Arman operated with the given material like an artist operates with paints and a brush. He left an immense space to incorporating chance effects in his works.

The specific character of Arman’s work lies in his ability to mix the objects and portraits from the world of music and technical sphere. He possess the virtuous ability to make music visible.

In 1964 Arman got the second Biennale price in Tokio and in 1966 the biggest Marzotto price. In 1968 he got a teaching position in the Californian University. The same year his works were presented in Biennale in Venice and in Kassel. You can find his famous paintings and statues in all art metropolises.

An alloy of copper with other metals (especially with tin) used since ancient times.

Bronze casting:

When casting bronze, artist usually applies the lost-wax technique which is dating back more than 5000 years. It's the best, but also the most complex method of producing sculptures.

Sculpture "The Book Reader" by Ernst Barlachs is shown here as an example:

First, the artist forms a model of his sculpture. It is embedded in a liquid silicone rubber composition. Once the material has solidified, the model is cut out. The liquid wax is poured in the negative mould. After cooling down, the wax casting is removed from the mould, provided with sprues and dipped into ceramic mass. The ceramic mass is hardened in a kiln, and the wax flows out (lost mould).

Now we finally have the negative form, into which the 1400 ° C hot molten bronze is poured. After the bronze had cooled down, the ceramic shell is broken off and the sculpture comes to light.

Now the sprues are removed, the surfaces are polished, patinated and numbered by the artist himself or, to his specifications, by a specialist. Thus, each casting becomes an original work

For lower-grade bronze castings, the sand casting method is often used which, however, does not achieve the results of more complex lost wax technique in terms of surface characteristics and quality.

Related links:
Sand casting