1899
 | Ervand Kotcharian (Kotchar) 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. |
| 1914 - 1918 | Goes to the Arts School of the Caucasus Association Promoting Fine Arts (known as O. Schmerling School), studies in the class of Yegishe Tadevossyan, a prominent Armenian artist. |
1918-1919 | Studies at Moscow Second State Tree Fine Arts Studios, at P. Konchalovsky's studio (October through August). |
| 1919 -1921 | Teaches painting at Tiflis high schools. |
| 1919 | Participates with thirty-six works in the second Autumn Exhibition organized by the Association of Georgian Artists (Tiflis). |
| 1920 | Participates in the third Autumn Exhibition (Tiflis). |
1921 | People's Commissariat of the Georgian SSR grants Y. Kotcharian a certificate of State Higher Arts and Technical Studios Professor. |
| 1921 - 1922 | Was elected on the exhibition commission of the Union of Armenian Artists and becomes a member of the "HAYARTUN" (House of Armenian Art). |
1922
|
In April heads from Batum for abroad - to Constantinople, then
to Venice, Rome, Florence and Paris.
Opens an exhibition in Constantinople (June 14th ). |
| In November arrives in Venice, the Mkhitarist Congregation, teaches at Mourad-Rafaelyan College, creates the face sculptures of Cardinal Lafontain, Father Kyureghian, the poet Avetik Issahakian, and studies the rich collection of the Congregation's old Armenian miniature art. | |
| 1923 | Settles down in Paris (August). |
| Kotchar's first one-man show, organized by Arshak Chopanian, opens in the "Societe des savantes" hall of the "Apaga" (Future) newspaper (September 25th). | |
| E. Kotchar's works were praised highly by Edgar Shahin, Hakop Gyurjian and others. | |
| 1924 |
Participates in the "Salon des Independants" exhibition
with the canvases "Resurrection" and "Metamorphosis"
which attract the attention of prominent art critics (February 19th through
March 13th).
His first articles were published in "Revue du vrai et du beau" ("Magazine of Truth and Beauty") and "La Revue Moderne" ("Modern Magazine"). Participates in the "Salon d'Automne " exhibition with the works, "Vision: Christ and Mary Magdalene", "Bacchus" and "Portrait of a Girl". These works were echoed broadly in publications of Cleman Morauz, Raimon Ceiling and Jules de Saint Guiller. |
1925
|
Marries Vardeni in January.
Participates in "L'art d'Aujourd'hui" ("Modern Art") international exhibition together with Harp, Brancusi, Delone, Earnst, Grisse, Clei, Leger, Lipschitz, Miraux, Mondrianne, Ozanfan, Picasso and others (November 30th through December 21st). Starts to sign his works (pieces) as Kotchar. |
| 1926 |
Participates in the exhibition organized by "Salon des Independants"
with the canvases "Portrait of a Girl" and "The Houri with
Fruit" (April-May). The admirative (delighted) article by the well-known
critic 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 swas opened in "La Sacre du Printemp" Gallery. The author of the catalogue was Valdemar George (October 28th through November 13th). The exhibition was echoed by "Revue du vrai et du beau", "Les Artistes d'Aujourd'hui", "La Revue Moderne" magazines and other periodicals. |
| 1928 | In January the media prints sympathizing echoes on the occasion of cases of vandalism towards two sculpture-paintings by Kotchar in the exhibition at the "Salon des Independants". Those works were the first heralds of "painting in the space". In February Dr. Alendi delivers a lecture in Sorbonne on Kotchar's "new painting". The ,,Les Pentures dans l`espace de Kotchar" ("Kotchar's Painting in Space") one-man show opens in "Van Leer" Gallery (November 17th through 30th). The 15 works presented were new plastic and artistic means of expression which involved time as an additional fourth dimension. The author of the catalogue was Valdemar George. In December Kotchar's wife, Varteni and daughter died with tuberculosis. |
| 1929 | In the international exhibition, ,,Panorama de L`art contemporain,, ("Panorama of Contemporary Art") organized in the halls of the ,,BONAPART" Publishers, Kotchar presents works of "painting in space" (January 17th through February 16th). Among the participants of the exhibition were Braque, Chagal, Delone, Liursa, Matisse, Miraux, Picabia, Picasso, Survage, Utrillaux , Vlamink, and others. Kotchar meets Leonse Rosenberg, the well-known patron and connoisseur of modern art, who becomes a fan of Kotchar's art. |
1930
|
In January Kotchar marries Melineh Ohanian. Participates in the exhibition, "Confrontation", organized by the "REGAIN" (Modern Art Trends Information and Communications Centre) at the "Fenêtre ouverte" Gallery (February 14th through 28th). The exhibition, "Pictures by Fernand Leger, Gino Severini, Jean Metzinger, Jean Viollier also Paintings in Space by Kotchar" opens in "The Leicester Galleries" in London (April through May). |
| 1932 | Participates in the exhibition, "Exposition d`oeuvres Cubites, Surrealistes et Abstraites" ("Cubist, Surrealistic and Abstract Works") in Leonse Rosenberg's Gallery (19, Rue de La Baume, Paris ), presenting also works by Braque, Metzenge, de Cirico, Gries, Picabia, Kzaki, Leger, Earnst, Herbin and others (April 25th through May 25th). |
| 1934 | The one-man show, "Kotchar - Peinures, Sculptures, Dessingns" ("Kotchar: Paintings, Sculptures and Drawings" opens in "Galerie Vignon". The show was echoed by Moris Reynal, Gotier and others (January 29th through February 6th). |
| 1935 | Participates in the exhibition, "Les Artistes Musicalistes" ("Music-oriented Artists"): Budapest - May-June, Brno - July-August, Prague - September 8th through 25th. Organiser, Henry Valencie. The "ADDRESS" was published in July, where Kotchar presents his ideas on "painting in space" for the first time. Participates with one work, "Painting in Space", in the exhibition "Le 1-ere Salon de l'Art Mural" where only "models related to monumental art" were presented. |
1936
|
Signs the "Manifest of Dimensionism" the ideas of which
had already been expressed in his works of the Paris period. The Manifesto
was signed by Harp, Calder, Miraux, Delone. Ducan, Candinsky, Picabia and
others. In May, at the threshold of glory, and to the surprise of many, repatriates to the Country of the Soviets, without the least doubt that he is leaving Paris and Melineh for good. After being away for fourteen years, he returns to Tbilisi and meets his mother, sisters and friends. His application on joining Georgia's Union of Artists was turned down. In autumn Kotchar moves to Yerevan. |
| 1937 |
Becomes a member of the Artists Union of Armenia. Participates
periodically in republic and all-Union exhibitions. On October 2nd an article, "Let's Throw the Enemies of the People out of the Front of Fine Arts" was published: Kotchar was being accused of "anti-Soviet propaganda and anti-revolutionary activities". |
| 1938 - 1939 |
In Moscow, participates in the Ten-days Festival of Armenian
Culture. Meets his friend, the architect Karo Halabian who has always supported
Kotchar protecting him from various groundless slanders.
Within the framework of the celebrations of the thousandth anniversary of "David of Sassoun", the Armenian national epic, Kotchar creates the plaster version of the equestrian monument "David of Sassoun" in an extremely short period of time - in 18 days - which was destroyed barbarously during the days following his arrest in 1941. Does illustrations to the Leningrad academy edition of the epic. |
| 1940 | The sketch for the statue to Nizami Gyanjiev wins the second prize in the All-Union competition. |
| 1941 - 1943 | He was arrested on June 22nd. Was freed in August 1943, due to the interference of his friends from Nersissian School, Karo Halabian and Anastas Mikoian. |
| 1944 - 1945 | Teaches painting and drawing at Yerevan K. Marx Polytechnic Institute Architecture Department. Wins the first prize for the portrait in drawing of Komitas (no first prize was awarded). Marries Manik Mkrtchian. |
1946
|
Wins the first prize for the portrait
in drawing of Komitas (no first prize was awarded).
Marries Manik Mkrtchian. |
| 1947-1948 | Made stage decorations for H. Paronian State Musical Comedy Theatre. |
| 1948 | Receives a copyright for the invention of a new, cold method of making wax paints. The Council of Ministers of the Armenian SSR passes a decision to organize production of wax paints after Kotchar's method. |
| 1953 | "The Eagle of Zvartnotz", a landmark and memorial monument (bronze), was placed on the road to the Zvartnotz Temple. Architecture, Rafael Israelian. |
| 1955 | In Paris broad activities evolve at the initiative of Sonya Delone, Melineh Kotchar, and Valdemar George aimed at organizing a one-man show of Kotchar's works which were in Paris and which were created in Armenia. For this purpose a number of prominent figures of French culture sign a petition. The exhibition opened in 1966, without Kotchar being present and without the pieces of the post-Paris period). |
| 1956 | By the Decree of the Supreme Council of the Armenian SSR Ervand Kotchar was awarded the title of an Honoured Artist of the Republic of Armenia. During the days of the Second Ten-day Festival of Armenian Art and Literature in Moscow participates in the exhibition of Armenian fine arts. |
1959
| The equestrian monument, "David of Sassoun" (wrought copper) was placed in the Yerevan Railway Station Square. Architect, Michael Mazmanian. |
| 1960 - 1964 | Creates masterpieces, the painting "Disasters of War", and the series of works of painting in space of the Yerevan period. |
| 1963 | National Museum of Modern Art-Pompidou Centre in Paris acquires one of Kotchar's works of "Painting in the Space" (1934). |
| 1965 |
After a thirty-year break the one-man show of Kotchar opens in
Fatherland, in Yerevan, (March 14th). By the Decree of the Supreme Council of the Armenian SSR E. Kotchar was awarded the title of a People's Artist of the Armenian SSR. |
| 1966 | The one-man show, "Kotchar et la peinture dans l`espace", opened at the "Percier" Gallery in Paris. The catalogue, "Kotchar and Painting in Space" by Valdemar George was published (February". |
| 1967 | He is awarded the State Prize of the ASSR. |
| 1969 |
The statue to Komitas (wrought coppper) was placed in the central square
in Etchmiadzin.
Having given up hope to meet Kotchar, Melineh commits suicide in Paris. |
| 1970 | Participates in the exhibition, "Armenian Culture from Urartu up to the Present Day", opened in Louvre. |
| 1971 | His second one-man show opens in Yerevan (June-July). By the Decree of the USSR Supreme Council the Y. Kotchar was awarded the Order (Decoration) of the Red Banner of Labour. |
| 1972 | The album, "Ervand Kotchar" by Henrik Igityan comes out. The sculpture, "The Muse of Cybernetics" (wrought copper), was placed in the yard of the Yerevan Computers Research Institute. Architect, Ervand Kotchar. |
| 1973 | An one-man show opens in the Museum of Eastern Peoples in Moscow (December 15th through February 18th). |
| 1974 | Tretyakov Gallery and the Russian Museum obtain paintings and drawings. One-man shows open in Baku (April) and Tbilisi (June). |
1975
| The equestrian monument, "Vartan Mamikonian" (wrought copper), was placed in Yerevan. Architect, Stepan Kyurkchian. |
| 1976 | By the Decree of the USSR Supreme Council Kotchar was awarded the title of a People's Artist of the Soviet Union. |
| 1976 - 1977 | Participates in the exhibition, " Self-portrait in Russian And Soviet Art in 1930-1950" (Moscow, a number of cities of the Soviet Union, Bulgaria, Poland and Hungary). |
| 1978 | An one-man show of Kotchar's graphic works opens in Yerevan (March 10 through April 12). 1979 Dies on January 22nd in Yerevan. |
| 1980 | An exhibition of Kotchar's works opens in the Artists' House of Armenia (June 6th through July 8th). The ASSR Institute of Arts of the Academy of Sciences organizes a scientific session dedicated to Kotchar's 80th birthday anniversary (June 11th). |
1984
| "Ervand Kotchar" Museum opens in Yerevan on June 22nd. Manik Mkrtchian dies on September 17th. |
| 1990 |
An exhibition dedicated to Kotchar's 90th birthday anniversary
opens in Paris. Organizers, K. Pasmajian Gallery, Ervand Kotchar Gallery
(May 18th through September 9th). The ASSR Institute of Arts of the Academy
of Sciences organizes a scientific session dedicated to Kotchar's 90th
birthday anniversary (May 25th).
June 23 - September 30 1990 the exhibition in Musee' des Beaux - Arts (Fine Arts Museum) in Kale, France. December 13 1990 - February 2 1991 the exhibition organized by Fondacio Joun Miro; Olimpiada Culturel (Juan Miro Foundation) in Barcelona; |
| 1997 |
UNESCO passes a decision to celebrate Kotchar's 100th jubilee under its high protection, putting his name on the list of "Outstanding Dates". |
| 1998 | November 24 1998 - February 7 1999 the exhibition "Forjar el Espacio" organized by Centro Atlantico de Arte Moderno hall in the Major Canary Islands; |
| 1999 |
March 3 - May 30 1999 IVAM Centre Julio Gonzalez (Julio Gonzalez Centre) in Valencia |
By LALA MARTIROSSIAN-KOTCHAR
Kotchar's "Painting in Space" kept at Paris Pompidou Centre has been exhibited at:
