Oyvind Fahlstrom (1928-76), the Brazilian-born Swedish multi-artist, is one of the mid-20th century's intriguing cultural figures. This book offers an introduction to Oyvind Fahlstrom and an analysis of some of his important works. It focuses on how Fahlstrom's early experiments with concrete poetry influenced his later work in the visual arts.

Oyvind Fahlstrom (1928-76), the Brazilian-born Swedish multi-artist, is one of the mid-twentieth century's most intriguing cultural figures. His work, as profoundly political as it is aesthetic, spans two tumultuous decades in the avant-garde world and comprises concrete poetry (his own innovation), manifestos, plays, performance, filmmaking, paintings, multiple prints, sculpture and installations. Initially, poorly received in Sweden and little appreciated in the English-speaking world, Fahlstrom's role as one of the creators of concrete poetry is now increasingly recognized worldwide.The first study to give this major twentieth-century artist his due, this book serves as both an informative and entertaining introduction to Oyvind Fahlstrom and a valuable critical analysis of some of his most important works. ""Oyvind Fahlstrom: The Art of Writing"" focuses on how Fahlstrom's early experiments with concrete poetry influenced his later work in the visual arts and offers a close reading of the seminal work ""Bord"", the series of paintings ""Ade-Ledic-Nander"", the radio play ""Birds in Sweden"", the interactive painting ""The Painting"" (based on Natalie Sarraute's novel ""Le planetarium""), and the series of game-paintings based on the board game Monopoly. Bessa's ""Oyvind Fahlstrom"" is without precedent or parallel as an overview of Fahlstrom art, an assessment of his place in twentieth-century cultural history, and an examination of trends and movements, such as concretism, in which he figures large.