Ervand Kochar Museum | ERVAND KOCHAR BIOGRAPHY
Ervand Kochar Museum
Ervand Kochar Museum
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ERVAND KOCHAR BIOGRAPHY

1899

Ervand Kocharian (Kochar) was born in Tbilisi on June 15 to the family of Simon Kotcharian (1866-1933) of Shushi and Pheocla Martirosian (1873-1951).

1909-1918

Studies at Nersissian School, at the same time attends the Arts School of the Caucasus Association for Promoting Fine Arts (Schmerling School).

1918-1919

Studies in the class of Yegishe Tadevossyan, a prominent Armenian artist.

Studies at Moscow Second State Free Fine Arts Studios, P. Konchalovsky’s studio.

With 36 works participates in the “Second Autumn Exhibition”  organized by the Association of Georgian Artists (Tiflis).

Teaches painting at Tiflis high schools.

1918-1921

1919-1920

Participates in the “Second and Third Autumn Exhibitions” and the “Малый круг” (Small Circle) exhibition organized by the Association of Georgian Artists (Tiflis).

1921

Receives a certificate of State Higher Arts and Technical Studios Professor.

1922

In April leaves for abroad, Constantinople, where opens a one man show on 14 June.

In November arrives in Venice, the Mkhitarist Congregation, teaches at Mourad-Rafaelyan College, creates the face sculptures of Cardinal La Fontaine, Father Kyureghian, the poet Avetik Issahakian, and studies the rich collection of the Congregation’s old Armenian miniature art.

Visits the museums of Padua, Rome and Florence.

1923

In summer settles down in Paris.

Kochar’s first one-man show in Paris opens in the “Societe des Savants” hall of the “Apaga” (Future) newspaper.

1924

Participates in the “Salon des Independants” and “Salon d’Automne” exhibitions.

Praising articles about him by prominent art critics are published in periodicals on modern art.

1925

Marries Vardeni in January.

 

Participates in the international exhibition “L’art d’Aujourd’hui”.

 

An admiring article by Andre Pascal- Levi was published in the “Les Artistes d’Aujourd’hui” (“Artists of Today”) magazine.

 

The one man-show of Kotchar’s paintings and graphic works was opened in  “La Sacre du Printemp” Gallery. Author of the preface to the catalogue: Waldemar George.

 

The exhibition was echoed by “Revue du vrai et du beau”, “Les Artistes d’Aujourd’hui”, “La Revue Moderne” magazines  and other periodicals.

1927

Does design work at SAMARA ceramics factory.

1928

In autumn Kochar’s wife, Vardeni, dies from tuberculosis.

 

”Les Peintures dans l’espace de Kotchar” (“Kochar’s Painting in Space”) one-man show opens in “Van Leer” Gallery.

1929

Kochar presents works of the “Painting in Space” series at the international exhibition ”Panorama de L’art Contemporain, organized in the halls of “BONAPART” Publishers.

 

Starts to collaborate with Leonce Rosenberg, the well-known patron and connoisseur of modern art, Director of L’Effort Moderne Art Gallery.

1930

In January marries Meline Ohanian.

Participates in the exhibition “Confrontation” organized by REGAIN at Fenetre ouverte Gallery

The exhibition, “Works of Leger, Metzinger, Severini, Viollier and Kotchar’s Paintings in Space” opens in “The Leicester Galleries”, London.

1932

Participates in the exhibition, “Exposition d`oeuvres Cubites, Surrealistes et Abstraites” (“Cubist, Surrealistic and Abstract Works”) at Leonce Rosenberg’s “L’Effort Moderne” Gallery, which also featured the works of Braque, Metzinger, de Chirico, Gris, Picabia, Czaky, Leger, Ernst, Herbin and others.

1932

Participates in the exhibition, “Exposition d`oeuvres Cubites, Surrealistes et Abstraites” (“Cubist, Surrealistic and Abstract Works”) at Leonce Rosenberg’s “L’Effort Moderne” Gallery, which also featured the works of Braque, Metzinger, de Chirico, Gris, Picabia, Czaky, Leger, Ernst, Herbin and others.

1934

The one-man show, “Kotchar – Peintures, Sculptures, Dessins” opens in “Galerie Vignon”. Maurice Raynal, Maximilien Gauthier and others review the exhibition.

1935

Participates in the exhibition, “Les Artistes Musicalistes”. Organizer: Henry Valencie.

 

The “ADDRESS” was published in July, where Kochar presents his ideas on “Painting in Space” for the first time.

 

Participates in the exhibition “Le  Premiere Salon de l’Art Mural”.

1936

With many of the greatest artists of the time signs the “The Dimensionist Manifesto” the ideas of which had already been expressed in his works.

 

In May repatriates to the USSR.

 

His application on joining Georgia’s Union of Artists is rejected.

 

In autumn Kochar moves to Yerevan.

1937

On 2 October an article, “Let’s Throw the Enemies of the People out of the Front of Fine Arts” is published: Kochar is accused of “anti-Soviet propaganda and anti-revolutionary activities”.

1939

Within the framework of the celebrations of the thousandth anniversary of “David of Sassoun”, the Armenian national epic poem, the Russian language academy edition comes out with Kotchar’s illustrations. Editor and publisher: Academician Hovsep Orbeli.

 

Kochar creates the first version of the equestrian monument “David of Sassoun” which was destroyed barbarously during the days following his arrest in 1941.

1941-1943

Arrested on 22 June.

Was released in August 1943, due to the intervention of Karo Halabian and Anastas Mikoian, his friends from Nersissian School.

1946

Marries Manik Mkrtchian.

1955-1966

A movement starts in Paris aimed at inviting Kochar to France and organizing exhibitions of Kochar’s works created during the Soviet period. For this purpose, a number of prominent figures of French culture sign a petition.

 

“Eagle of Zvartnotz”, a landmark and memorial monument (bronze), is placed on the road to Zvartnotz Temple.

1959

The equestrian monument “David of Sassoun” (wrought copper) is placed in Yerevan Railway Station Square.

1965

Thirty years after returning to homeland, Kochar’s one-man show opens for the first time.

1966

The one-man show “Kochar et la peinture dans l’espace” opens at “Percier” Gallery in Paris, without the artist and his works of the post-Paris period. The catalogue, “Kochar and Painting in Space” by Waldemar George is published.

1969

The statue to Komitas (wrought coppper) is placed in the central square in Etchmiadzin.

1971

Kochar’s second one-man show opens in Yerevan.

1972

The album “Ervand Kochar” by Henrik Igityan comes out.

 

The sculpture, “The Muse of Cybernetics” (wrought copper), is placed in the yard of Yerevan Computer Research and Development Institute.

1973-1974

An one-man show opens in the Museum of Eastern Peoples in Moscow.

 

One-man shows open in Baku and Tbilisi.

1975

The equestrian monument “Vartan Mamikonian” (wrought copper) is placed in Yerevan.

1976

By the Decree of the USSR Supreme Council, Kochar is awarded the title of a People’s Artist of the Soviet Union.

1978

An one-man show of Kochar’s  graphic works opens in Yerevan.

1979

Dies on 22 January 22 in Yerevan.

1980

On 6 June an exhibition of Kochar’s works opens in the Artists’ House of Armenia.

1984

Ervand  Kochar  Museum opens in Yerevan on 22 June.

1989

An exhibition dedicated to Kochar’s 90th birthday anniversary opens in Paris. Organizers: K. Pasmajian Gallery, Ervand Kochar Museum.

1990-1991

Kochar’s “Painting in Space” kept at Paris Pompidou Centre is exhibited at

the exhibition ‘‘Antiguitat/Modernitat en l’art del segle XX’’ organized by ’’Fundació Joan Miró I Olimpiada Cultural’’ in Barcelona.

Main organaizer: Gladys Fabre

1997

UNESCO passes a decision to celebrate Kochar’s centenary under its auspices, placing his name on the list of “Outstanding Dates”.

1998-1999

Kochar’s “Painting in Space” kept at Paris Pompidou Centre is exhibited at

the international mobile exhibition ”Forjar el Espacio. La escultura forjada en

el siglo XX” (the Major Canary Islands, Valencia and Kale)

 

Christian Perazone publishes an article on Kochar in the trilingual catalogue.

1999

Ararat Aghasyan’s monograph “Kochar” is published (in Russian).

2000

Igityan’s “Ervand Kochar” Album is published.

2003

The four time magnified bronze statue of the sculpture “Melancholy of the 20th Century” is placed before the Armenian Center for Contemporary Experimental Art (ACCEA – NPAK).

2007

The book “You and Me” by E. Kochar is published.

2008

Artur Hakobyan’s book “Kochar’s Graphic Art” is published (in Russian).

2009

The five times magnified bronze statue of Kotchar’s ”Biblical David” is placed in the yard of the National Assembly, Yerevan.

2010

On 4-20 of June a jubilee exhibition “I Rely on Time” dedicated to Kochar’s 110th birthday opens in the Artist’s House of Armenia.

 

In the State Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow (15.09 – 15.11) opens exhibition “Two colors of the rainbow – two destinies reflection…” in which were included Kochar’s two works from series “Painting in Space”.

 

Publishes “Ervand Kochar 1899 – 1979. Bibliography (1918 – 2009)

2011

Increased copy of  Kochar’s “Yerevan-Erebouni” is installed in the foyer of the

new building of Matenadaran.

 

In April Kochar’s Painting in Space “First Sin” (1927) is exhibited at National Gallery of Armenia.

 

In July Kochar’s 10 works are exhibited at Exhibition “Dali & Surrealists” at National Gallery of Armenia.

2012

2012 In April, at the exhibition “ArtMonaco-Expo”, sponsored by the royal family of Monaco, the Painting in Space “First Sin” (1927) is awarded with main prize “Prix de l’excellence” in nomination “Baroque” as the work having considerable influence on development of Art of 20th century.

 

An exhibition called “The Diaspora of the Armenian Book 1512-2012”, opens (12.06-09.09) at Special Collections of the University of Amsterdam Library in which were included Kochar’s “Voskan Erevantsi” (1946) and the Painting in Space “Yerevan-Erebouni” (1968).

2013

An exhibition called “Modernités Plurielles 1905- 1970” (“Plural Modernities from 1905 – 1970”) opens in October at Modern Art Museum (Centre Georges Pompidou) in Paris in which was included Kochar’s painting “Eastern Women” (1926).

Ararat Aghasyan’s trilingual Album “In Yervand Kochar’s Space” is published.

2014

The book “You and Me” by Ervand Kochar is published in Russian.

An exhibition called “Kochar. Challenging the Time” dedicated to artist’s 115 th anniversary opens in September 26 at Cafesjian Center for the Arts in Yerevan.

Ervand Kochar’s artworks are presented  in

  • National Gallery of Armenia –   (NPGA), Yerevan
  • Modern art museum. Pompidou center. Paris
  • The State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow
  • Museum of the Peoples of the East, Moscow
  • Giulbenkian Foundation, Lisbon
  • State Russian Museum, Petersburg

 

As well as  in  private collections all af the world.