Öyvind Fahlström (1928-1976) was the founder of the so-called “concrete” style of literature. Inspired by modernism, futurism and Gertrude Stein, he wrote the manifest for concrete poetry in the 1950s, and his ideas dominated Swedish poetry for much of the next decade. He also worked with happenings, a mix between literature and art, which were often staged at Moderna museet.

Fahlström was born in the Brazilian city of São Paulo, to Swedish parents, and spent much of his working life in Stockholm and New York. One of the most multi-facetted artists of the 20^th century, he explored finance, politics and society, mixing media such as poetry, radio, happenings, painting and installations.

Moderna now has a whole room dedicated to studying Fahlström’s rich artistry. Find it in the Moderna basement – but for a complete experience, read up on this exciting artist first.

On display at Moderna museet until 2017