Originally edited by Thomas Lawson and Susan Morgan, Real Life featured writings, interviews and projects from a budding community of artists that would later become known as the “Pictures Generation.” Over time, the magazine expanded its focus to communities outside of New York City, eventually expanding its scope to include politically minded artists.

Real Life Magazine: Selected Writings and Projects 1979-1994 is an anthology of writings and interviews by and about some of the most vital artists of the 1980s. Dara Birnbaum, Eric Bogosian, Rhys Chatham, Mark Dion, Jack Goldstein, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Dan Graham, David Hammons, Thomas Lawson, Louise Lawler, Sherrie Levine, Allan McCollum, John Miller, Dave Muller, Matt Mullican, Adrian Piper, Richard Prince, David Robbins, Walter Robinson, Ed Ruscha, Cindy Sherman, Laurie Simmons, Michael Smith, John Stezaker, Bernard Tschumi, Jeff Wall, Lawrence Weiner, and James Welling were featured in the magazine throughout its fifteen year history.