In autumn 2017, the Kunstforum Wien is showcasing Gerhard Rühm, one of the last universal artists.

As a composer, pianist, performer, writer and visual artist, Gerhard Rühm, who was born in Vienna in 1930 and now lives in Cologne, was a crossover artist long before terms such as ‘crossover’ and ‘intermediality’ became part of artistic practice. In the space between word and image, language and music, writing and drawing, Rühm seeks to constantly expand forms of media expression that break with viewing habits in conceptual and humorous ways.

The accompanying exhibition catalogue reveals the multi-layered facets of Rühm's pioneering work with an extensive picture section, three essays from a linguistic-philosophical and art-historical perspective, and an interview with the artist. A retrospective exhibition combining drawing, visual poetry and visual music.