Arman 1975–2005, edited by Chiara Spangaro and produced by Studio Celant in collaboration with the Arman Archives, New York, is devoted to the artist’s creative journey and production of the last 30 years of his life.
The volume, which continues and completes the earlier monograph Arman 1954–1974 edited by Germano Celant (2020), presents the professional biography and oeuvre of the French-American artist through original research that addresses in detail the evolution of his practice and investigates his constant exploration in the many series he conceived, including New Accumulations, Shooting Colors, Dirty Painting, Atlantis, Accumulations de collections, Emersions, and Sandwich Combos, just to mention a few.
In addition to the editor’s introductory essay, the volume is further enriched by a series of studies by Cécile Debray, Rosemary O’Neill and Jérôme Sans. The authors draw on contemporary critical discourse to investigate key aspects of Arman’s work, including his performances, his global outreach, the development of his monumental projects, and his influence on subsequent generations.
These essays are followed by an extensive illustrated chronology of Arman’s professional and personal life that highlights the outstanding events, exhibitions, and works in the last 30 years of his artistic endeavours. Particular emphasis is placed on the many critical accolades he has received, interwoven with accounts of the historic and artistic context of the time. The volume is completed by a full scholarly apparatus.
