--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It was at a performance art space that's…" description: "\"It was at a performance art space that's no longer around, Gusto House... All of these great performers from all over the country lived on the Lower Ea..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ec/john-leguizamo-3025_art_it-was-at-a-performance-art-space-that-s_978948.jpg" --- # It was at a performance art space that's no longer around… ![“It was at a performance art space that's no longer around, Gusto House... All of these great performers from all over the country lived on the Lower East Side, and they would take somebody's living room that opened right onto the street, open the door and charge tickets and put up chairs.” quote by John Leguizamo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ec/john-leguizamo-3025_art_it-was-at-a-performance-art-space-that-s_978948.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ec/john-leguizamo-3025_art_it-was-at-a-performance-art-space-that-s_978948.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ec/john-leguizamo-3025_art_it-was-at-a-performance-art-space-that-s_978948.jpg) > “It was at a performance art space that's no longer around, Gusto House... All of these great performers from all over the country lived on the Lower East Side, and they would take somebody's living room that opened right onto the street, open the door and charge tickets and put up chairs.” [John Leguizamo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-leguizamo/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Describes a grassroots, DIY venue where artists turned private living rooms into ticketed shows, fostering community and experimental art. **In simple terms:** Artists used homes as makeshift theaters, charging admission and creating intimate performances. Key Takeaway Embrace unconventional spaces for creative expression. Themes DIY culture community artistic innovation urban history Mood nostalgic energetic creative Type cultural historical When to use this quote - Live music gigs - pop‑up theater - community workshops - budget‑friendly festivals Key Concepts Performance art grassroots organization economics of art Questions to Reflect On - How can artists balance authenticity with audience safety? - What modern platforms can replicate this DIY spirit? A Different Perspective Such informal venues may lack safety regulations and professional infrastructure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Gusto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gusto/) [Living room](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/living-room/) [Performance art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performance-art/) [Performances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performances/) [Performers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performers/) [Space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space/) [Streets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/streets/) ## Related quotes > [I'm very harsh on real estate agents. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because of how the call every small house 'charming' and every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephan-pastis/i-m-very-harsh-on-real-estate-agents-i-m-not-sure-why-maybe-it-s/) [Stephan Pastis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephan-pastis/) > [The homes I like the best are totally occupied, busy, and useful, whether it's a tiny little house or a great big one. Rarely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-stewart/the-homes-i-like-the-best-are-totally-occupied-busy-and-useful/) [Martha Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-stewart/) > [A comfortable house is a great source of happiness. It ranks immediately after health and a good conscience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-smith/a-comfortable-house-is-a-great-source-of-happiness-it-ranks/) [Sydney Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-smith/) > [It's interesting how as an artist you keep evolving, but if you can get into the contemporary art space, if the works are in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalup-linzy/it-s-interesting-how-as-an-artist-you-keep-evolving-but-if-you-can/) [Kalup Linzy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalup-linzy/) > [In Japanese art, space assumed a dominant role and its position was strengthened by Zen concepts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-gardiner/in-japanese-art-space-assumed-a-dominant-role-and-its-position-was/) [Stephen Gardiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-gardiner/) > [Art is the space between the viewer and the rectangle that hangs on the wall. Unless something of the person that created the work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-allen-lawson/art-is-the-space-between-the-viewer-and-the-rectangle-that-hangs-on/) [T. Allen Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-allen-lawson/) > [When I was young, there was never any space for me to get attention of my own that wasn't negative. Art, and the practice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-gordon/when-i-was-young-there-was-never-any-space-for-me-to-get-attention-of/) [Kim Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-gordon/) > [A chair is not just a product of decorative art in a space, it is a form and a space in itself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-juhl/a-chair-is-not-just-a-product-of-decorative-art-in-a-space-it-is-a/) Finn Juhl > [The Hester Street Fair is kind of like a tiny baby DailyCandy market every week in the Lower East Side.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/su-chin-pak/the-hester-street-fair-is-kind-of-like-a-tiny-baby-dailycandy-market/) [Su-chin Pak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/su-chin-pak/) > [That's what's interesting about the Lower East Side: It's New York, but it's also edgy. It's not as stuffy as Tribeca or Soho.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-boulud/that-s-what-s-interesting-about-the-lower-east-side-it-s-new-york-but/) [Daniel Boulud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-boulud/) > [I'm a black lady from the Lower East Side of New York. Not a lot intimidates me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-burns/i-m-a-black-lady-from-the-lower-east-side-of-new-york-not-a-lot/) [Ursula Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-burns/) > [Everybody ought to have a lower East Side in their life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irving-berlin/everybody-ought-to-have-a-lower-east-side-in-their-life/) [Irving Berlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irving-berlin/) > [I grew up in the Lower East Side of New York.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liev-schreiber/i-grew-up-in-the-lower-east-side-of-new-york/) [Liev Schreiber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liev-schreiber/) > [I mean I have a project that I have been wanting to make for quite a while now; and basically, it's a story of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-scorsese/i-mean-i-have-a-project-that-i-have-been-wanting-to-make-for-quite-a/) [Martin Scorsese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-scorsese/) > [I love the Lower East Side.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-duchovny/i-love-the-lower-east-side/) [David Duchovny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-duchovny/) ## More by John Leguizamo > [I had a whole new respect for directors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-leguizamo/i-had-a-whole-new-respect-for-directors/) [John Leguizamo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-leguizamo/) > [I read that 36% of Latin kids drop out of high school, and we're the most bullied minority in schools right now. And my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-leguizamo/i-read-that-36-of-latin-kids-drop-out-of-high-school-and-we-re-the/) [John Leguizamo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-leguizamo/) > [I was quiet a lot when I was picked on as a kid because I didn't have anything to say back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-leguizamo/i-was-quiet-a-lot-when-i-was-picked-on-as-a-kid-because-i-didn-t-have/) [John Leguizamo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-leguizamo/) > [I love independent films, it's the only place as an actor you're totally allowed to breathe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-leguizamo/i-love-independent-films-it-s-the-only-place-as-an-actor-you-re/) [John Leguizamo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-leguizamo/) > [I love life, and I embrace every minute of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-leguizamo/i-love-life-and-i-embrace-every-minute-of-it/) [John Leguizamo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-leguizamo/) > [I feel American comedy is a little too light. World cinema, and Latin cinema, is much more comfortable with darker emotions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-leguizamo/i-feel-american-comedy-is-a-little-too-light-world-cinema-and-latin/) [John Leguizamo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-leguizamo/) > [I see the new Latin artist as a pioneer, opening up doors for others to follow. And when they don't open, we crowbar our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-leguizamo/i-see-the-new-latin-artist-as-a-pioneer-opening-up-doors-for-others/) [John Leguizamo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-leguizamo/) > [I love what I do. I would hate to give it up. But if I could, I would run for office in Texas. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-leguizamo/i-love-what-i-do-i-would-hate-to-give-it-up-but-if-i-could-i-would/) [John Leguizamo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-leguizamo/) > [First I went to C.W. Post and I was a psychology and theater major and then I transferred to NYU's Tisch School of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-leguizamo/first-i-went-to-c-w-post-and-i-was-a-psychology-and-theater-major-and/) [John Leguizamo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-leguizamo/) > [I like helping people achieve their dreams just like people helped me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-leguizamo/i-like-helping-people-achieve-their-dreams-just-like-people-helped-me/) [John Leguizamo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-leguizamo/) > [In theater, you can be free. That's how Lin-Manuel Miranda got to do the most revolutionary piece of theater with 'Hamilton': color-blind casting in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-leguizamo/in-theater-you-can-be-free-that-s-how-lin-manuel-miranda-got-to-do/) [John Leguizamo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-leguizamo/) > [I love the power of theater. I think it's an experience you never forget.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-leguizamo/i-love-the-power-of-theater-i-think-it-s-an-experience-you-never/) [John Leguizamo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-leguizamo/) > [t is for me because I needed to do this. I really think actors shouldn't act unless they really need it in their lives.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-leguizamo/t-is-for-me-because-i-needed-to-do-this-i-really-think-actors-shouldn/) [John Leguizamo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-leguizamo/) > [I feel I don't get credit enough for it, the pioneering I did in comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-leguizamo/i-feel-i-don-t-get-credit-enough-for-it-the-pioneering-i-did-in-comedy/) [John Leguizamo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-leguizamo/) > [Why is the world that I see around me mixed, and why is the world I see in movies filled with all white people?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-leguizamo/why-is-the-world-that-i-see-around-me-mixed-and-why-is-the-world-i/) [John Leguizamo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-leguizamo/) [Explore all 142 John Leguizamo quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-leguizamo/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) Taf Teh > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It was at a performance art space that's no longer around, Gusto House... 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