General Idea
Life & Work by Sarah E . K . Smith
white shirt , and his head rests against an array of multicoloured cushions . Bronson notes that Partz was drawn to vibrant clothing during his illness : “ As [ Felix ] got closer and closer to death he started wearing colours that were more alive , brighter and brighter colours . He got totally crazed with colour and pattern .” Partz ’ s face , with sunken eye sockets and prominent cheekbones , betrays the trauma of AIDS ; he suffered from wasting so extreme that his eyes could not close . Felix is a poignant tribute to Partz : a means of farewell and a testament to Bronson ’ s continued art making .
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AA Bronson , Felix , June 5 , 1994 , 1994 ( printed in 1999 ), lacquer on vinyl , 213.4 x 426.5 cm , National Gallery of Canada , Ottawa
The demand for General Idea ’ s work has increased since the group ’ s demise . It circulates internationally and continues to receive recognition in the twenty-first century . For instance , in 2011 a travelling retrospective was organized by the Musée d ’ art moderne de la Ville de Paris and another retrospective will tour Latin America in 2016 – 17 . This latter show is linked to the publication of General Idea ’ s catalogue raisonné . The group has also had significant exhibitions in commercial galleries . The Esther Schipper Gallery in Berlin , for example , has been particularly focused on revealing aspects of General Idea ’ s work that were previously unknown . Other galleries , including Mai 36 Galerie in Zürich and Maureen Paley in London , are showing General Idea at art fairs internationally as well as in their exhibition programs . The group has also continued to receive accolades . Most prominently , in 2011 AA Bronson accepted on behalf of General Idea the Chevalier de l ’ ordre des Arts et des Lettres from Frédéric Mitterand , then Minister of Culture of France .
Bronson maintains a successful solo art practice . He currently lives in Berlin .
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