October 11, 2011

Founded by Felix Partz, Jorge Zontal and AA Bronson in Toronto in 1969, General Idea was “a framing device within which we inhabit the role of the artist as we see the living legend.” By examining media image culture through projects including File magazine, paintings, installations, sculptures, photographs, mail art, videos, TV programs and a beauty pageant, the group challenged social power structures and traditional artistic creation.

Curated by Frédéric Bonnet, Haute Culture: General Idea is the first comprehensive retrospective exhibition of its kind. Organized around five themes central to the work of the trio, General Idea’s body of work is revealed as a cultural critique which treats the image as a “virus that infiltrates every aspect of the real world.” Works on display include Baby Makes 3 (1984 – 1989), Nazi Milk (1979 – 1990), and Playing Doctor (1992).

The exhibition takes place on the fourth and fifth floors of the Art Gallery of Ontario until January 1st, 2012. For more information, visit the AGO’s website.