ALLEN RUPPERSBERG / Al's Grand Hotel

Allen Ruppersberg
Al's Grand Hotel  1971
Offset printed, black and white artist book/catalogue for Al's Grand Hotel, 1971
22.5 x 15cm, 18 pages

Condition: Excellent with minimal wear

In the spring of 1971, Allen Ruppersberg took over a two-story house located at 7175 Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, and converted it into a fully-functioning hotel. For the 6 weeks that followed it was a site for gatherings, parties, performances and, of course, spending the night. The 7 rooms were functional installations, each one themed, the materials vernacular and the air casual. Purposefully temporary, the short-lived hotel remained in LA’s history a landmark and legend, highly representative both of Ruppersberg’ work and of the artist run initiatives in LA’s landscape: casual, temporary and changing, with an emphasis on experience and entrepreneurialism. 

This is the incredible artist book and document produced conjunction with Al's Grand Hotel, 1971. The publication indexes of the contents for sale in the various room - Lobby, The Jesus Room, The "B" Room, The Breakfast Room, The Al Room, The Ultra Violet Room, The Day Room, The Bridal Suite - of the building. Items for sale included the guest register, blue neon "Al's Grand Hotel" sign, a fifteen foot wooden cross, 126 issues of Life Magazine, seven life-sized photo cut-outs of Ruppersberg in various outfits, a three tier wedding cake, miscellaneous Grand Hotel office supplies and many other items from the Hotel's rooms. The catalogue notes the entire contents of the hotel could be purchased for $3,500.