The Ancients Stole All Our Great Ideas

In fall 2012, Vienna's Kunsthistorisches Museum unveils a new exhibition series, in which established international artists are invited to curate a show based on the Museum's collections. This approach to reimagining a collection has several landmark precedents, such as the National Gallery London's Artist's Eye shows, for which Hockney, Freud and Bacon curated shows. The Kunsthistorisches Museum has selected Ed Ruscha to inaugurate their series. Ruscha first visited the Kunsthistorisches Museum in 1961; 50 years later, having spent time with its curators and its collection, he has produced the fascinating exhibition which this catalogue accompanies. Composed of paintings, sculptures and nature specimens that intrigue, amuse or confuse Ruscha, this exhibition and catalogue offers a portrait of the artist's taste and thought. The catalogue reproduces Ruscha's selection on 40 individual loose cards (with descriptive text on the rear, plus commentary by Ruscha), housed in a card slipcase.