In 1915, he decisively traveled to the United States and established himself in New York, a city ablaze with artistic innovation, fueled by a surge of artists fleeing the war, including Marcel Duchamp, Francis Picabia, Albert Gleizes, and Jean Metzinger.

He formed a strong bond with Marcel Duchamp, sharing a studio that would influence his creative direction profoundly. This pivotal encounter marked a definitive break from his early work, propelling him onto a new and exciting artistic path. In 1916, he confidently exhibited at the Montross Gallery in New York alongside prominent figures like Marcel Duchamp, Albert Gleizes, and Jean Metzinger.

After separating from his wife, Yvonne, he returned to Paris on his own. There, he reunited with Suzanne Duchamp, Marcel’s sister, who was serving as a nurse at the Hôpital des jeunes aveugles des Invalides. He married her in 1919, further solidifying his new life and artistic direction.