Three heads were better than one: AA Bronson, Felix Partz, Jorge Zontal. As members of General Idea (1969–1994), this trio – who thought of themselves more like a rock band than as an artist collective – have had a huge impact on the international contemporary art world.

The forthcoming exhibition General Idea (3 June–20 November 2022) at the National Gallery of Canada will cover the group’s twenty-five years of collaboration. It will include more than two hundred works, revealing the breadth of General Idea’s practice. The exhibition will be accompanied by a major publication – the most comprehensive source on the group’s work to date.

In conjunction with the exhibition and the launch of the publication, the National Gallery of Canada is organizing a symposium centred on General Idea’s life and work. We invite established and emerging scholars, art historians, curators, artists, and architects to submit proposals for 20-30 minute presentations (in either English or French) on themes such as:

– From The Loving Couch Press to Rochdale College: hippie communes, artist collectives, and queer communities
– Experiential and experimental living: GI and the early underground scene in Toronto (Theatre Passe Muraille and Coach House Press)
– The women behind Miss General Idea: GI and gender
– Correspondence, networks, and virality
– and more (see website).

Please send a 300-word abstract and CV to Philip Monk, Chair, and Adam Welch, Associate Curator, National Gallery of Canada, at GIsymposium@gallery.ca.

We welcome abstracts and presentations in both English and French. Panelists will receive a CAD 500 honorarium, round-trip travel to Ottawa, two nights’ accommodation, and per diem.

Deadline for abstracts: 25 March 2022