1968 Toronto Ron Gabe, Jorge Saia […]

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When

1968

Description

1968 Toronto Ron Gabe, Jorge Saia, and Michael Tims formed the artistic collective General Idea. They adopted new names — Felix Partz (Gabe), Jorge Zontal (Saia), and A.A. Bronson (Tims) — and proceeded to introduce a satirical and humorous gay sensibility to the Toronto art world. Their early triumphs included The Miss General Idea Pageant (1971), held at the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the creation of FILE magazine (1972). During the late 1970s and early 1980s General Idea garnered an international art following, and in 1984 held the Miss General Idea Pavilion retrospective at the Art Gallery of Ontario. During the late 1980s their art focussed more on the AIDS crisis — their AIDS logo spoofing the famous LOVE sign created by Robert Indiana became internationally famous. General Idea disbanded in 1994, the same year in which both Felix Partz and Jorge Zontal died of AIDS.

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Art Gallery of Ontario Toronto

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Robert Indiana A.A. Bronson Jorge Zontal Ron Gabe

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General Idea

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FILE Magazine

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David Vereschagin (interviewing General Idea), "What's the Big Idea?" Body Politic, no. 115 (1985), pp. 29-32.Nik Sheehan, "The Infectious Glamour of General Idea: A.A. Bronson Paints the Final Chapter Alone," Xtra!, no. 277 (1995), p. 28 Roberto Olivo, "Poodle Rampant," New York Native, 11-17 November 1985, p. 58 John Bentley Mays, "An Idea Whose Time Has Come," Globe and Mail, weekend ed., 27 April 1985, p. E15.John Bentley Mays, "From the files of General Idea," Globe and Mail, metro ed., 21 July 1984, p. E13.Philip Marchand, "The General Idea behind General Idea: Think of Them as Undiscovered Pop Stars Who Play the Media Instead of Guitars," Toronto Life, November 1975, pp. 30-32,35-37."General Idea Artist Partz Dies," Toronto Star, metro ed., 7 June 1994, p. B6.

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Art Gallery of Ontario

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