General Idea
Life & Work by Sarah E.K. Smith
LEFT: General Idea, Eye of the Beholder, 1989, chenille, embroidery on crest-shaped felt, 24 x 21 cm, unlimited edition, unsigned and unnumbered, various collections,
photograph by Thomas E. Moore RIGHT: General Idea, XXX Voto (for the Spirit of Miss General Idea), 1995, offset publication, 128 pages, colour reproductions, black-linen
hardcover with blue hot-stamping, 14.5 x 11 cm, edition of nine hundred plus one artist’s proof, signed and numbered (rubber-stamped), various collections, photograph by
Cathy Busby
Publications, including FILE Megazine (1972–89), were a key component of
General Idea’s multiples. Their final multiple was a book project titled XXX Voto (for the
Spirit of Miss General Idea). This poignant reflection on the artists’ long collaboration
was published in May 1995, following the deaths of Jorge Zontal and Felix Partz in 1994.
XXX Voto is based on a text by Yves Klein (1928–1962), in which he thanks his patron
saint for his life. General Idea adopted this concept and dedicated their gratitude to the
Spirit of Miss General Idea. The text references the three artists throughout: one line
reads, “thank you three times to the third power.” Bronson explained that XXX Voto was
a reflection on the life the artists had together.28
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