Mitchell-Innes & Nash to Show General Idea Survey
So, Mitchell-Innes & Nash is putting together an exhibition focused on General Idea, a Canadian art collective that was active from 1969 until 1994. This group was formed by AA Bronson, who was born in 1946 in Vancouver, along with Felix Partz, born in Winnipeg in 1945 and who sadly passed away on June 5, 1994, in Toronto, and Jorge Zontal, born in Italy in 1944, who died on February 3, 1994, in Toronto. They often represented themselves as a trio, like a family unit, and used elements like ziggurats, triplet babies, and vibrant colors in their art. They also embraced queer identity and playful poodle stereotypes. However, starting in 1990, their work took on a more serious tone due to the effects of the AIDS crisis.
Key facts
- Mitchell-Innes & Nash will present a survey of General Idea.
- General Idea was active from 1969 to 1994.
- Founders: AA Bronson (b. 1946, Vancouver), Felix Partz (b. 1945, Winnipeg; d. June 5, 1994, Toronto), Jorge Zontal (b. 1944, Parma, Italy; d. February 3, 1994, Toronto).
- The group identified as a triumvirate, trouple, and ménage à trois.
- They used ziggurats, triplet babies, and primary colors (red, blue, green).
- They celebrated queer identity and poodle stereotypes.
- The AIDS crisis began affecting their work around 1990.
- Felix Partz and Jorge Zontal died in 1994.
Entities
Artists
- AA Bronson
- Felix Partz
- Jorge Zontal
Institutions
- Mitchell-Innes & Nash
Locations
- Vancouver
- Canada
- Winnipeg
- Toronto
- Parma
- Italy