Self-published from 1967–1969 by Vito Acconci and Bernadette Mayer, 0 To 9 originally appeared in seven inexpensive, mimeographed, staple-bound issues that were sold for a dollar an issue. Although democratically conceived, the original issues ultimately were printed in small runs of between 100 and 350 copies. Very different from conventional art and poetry magazines from the period in terms of content, design and distribution, 0 To 9 consisted mostly of original, language or idea-based contributions by artists and poets, establishing a new kind of “dematerialized,” do-it-yourself exhibition context beyond the existing official gallery and magazine system.

Highly regarded, yet rarely seen, New York-based 0 To 9 gave a home to some of the most experimental and innovative artists and writers of its time—almost all of whose work consisted of experiments in language: Vito Acconci, Robert Barry, Ted Berrigan, Clark Coolidge, John Giorno, Dan Graham, Michael Heizer, Kenneth Koch, Sol LeWitt, Lee Lozano, Jackson Mac Low, Bernadette Mayer, Adrian Piper, Bern Porter, Yvonne Rainer, Jerome Rothenberg, Aram Saroyan, Robert Smithson, Alan Sondheim, Hannah Weiner, Lawrence Weiner, and Emmett Williams were among the more than seventy contributors.