In this interview Allen Ruppersberg talks about his first years in Los Angeles, as a student at Chouinard, and the collective gallery he opened with fellow student Terry Allen. He then discusses the widening Conceptual Art scene in the city and its links to both New York and Europe, and how that international connection made it possible to live and work in Los Angeles. The other thing that made this possible was a combination of cheap rents and a small but dedicated group of collector/supporters like Elyse and Stanley Grinstein.

This interview was conducted by Thomas Lawson and Aram Moshayedi on September 9, 2011 at the artist’s studio in El Segundo, CA.

Camera and sound by Larissa Brantner James.