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Vito Acconci's 2014 SFMOMA Interview: Why He Left Art for Architecture

artist · 2026-05-04

In a 2014 interview with SFMOMA's web TV, Vito Acconci (1940–2017) explained his shift from performance art to architecture and design. He said he wanted to create works that could be part of everyday life, not necessarily seen as art. Collaboration was key: he didn't want to be a solo voice. This led him toward architecture. The interview was published by Artribune in June 2019.

Key facts

  • Vito Acconci was interviewed by SFMOMA's web TV in August 2014.
  • Acconci was a pioneer of performance art in the 1970s.
  • He left the art world to focus on architecture and design.
  • He wanted to make things that could be part of daily life.
  • He emphasized collaboration over being a solo voice.
  • The interview was published by Artribune in June 2019.
  • Acconci lived from 1940 to 2017.
  • He described his desire for revolution as possibly naive but possible.

Entities

Artists

  • Vito Acconci

Institutions

  • San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
  • Artribune

Locations

  • San Francisco
  • United States

Sources