In October 1970 Jeffery Lew, Gordon Matta-Clark and Alan Saret opened the doors of 112 Greene Street to the public, offering all artists the freedom to create in a chaotic, cathartic environment. Resisting the organization of pristine uptown galleries, this rag-salvaging factory turned artists' "sanctuary" became one of the first spaces where the dirty, crumbling architecture was adopted into artists' works. Artists' sculptures, paintings, performances, readings and films could thrive in an energy-filled environment and interact with one another all at once.

Determined to preserve the manifesto and art works that emerged from 112 Greene Street for the artists, curators and scholars of future generations, Jessamyn Fiore curated the exhibition 112 Greene Street: The Early Years (1970 – 1974), which was on view at David Zwirner, New York, from January 7 to February 12, 2011. She also compiled an exhibition catalogue, a timeline of the venue's early years, and interviewed 19 artists who were a part of 112 Greene Street's interdisciplinary, artist-run exhibitions for the book, 112 Greene Street: The Early Years published by David Zwirner and Radius Books. An independent curator and writer, she worked as director of Thisisnotashop, a not-for-profit gallery space in Dublin, which supports emerging artists.

This presentation by the author took place July 26, 2012 at 192 Books in New York and was recorded and produced for radio by ARTonAIR.org.