General Idea was founded in 1967 in Toronto by AA Bronson (b. 1946), Felix Partz (1945-1994), and Jorge Zontal (1944-1994). Over the course of 25 years, they made a significant contribution to post-modern and conceptual art in Canada and beyond.
With their subversive approach and interest in parody and appropriation, General Idea addressed a broad range of social and art-world issues including consumerism, media consumption, the cult of the artist, and AIDS.
General Idea was both prolific and multi-disciplinary (way before it became de rigueur) creating works in a wide range of media including photography, sculpture, painting, mail art, video, performances, installations, and (perhaps most notably) artist multiples.
This poster was made for AQUI! Magazine, a publication that released their issues in XL poster format mailed in a cardboard logo envelope. AQUI! ran for about 12 issues from 1984-1985, working with various artists including Barbara Kruger, Gilbert & George, Cliff Baldwin, among others.
The posters were printed by Norman Lassiter, a master printmaker and one of Warhol's printers. Lassiter was an expert at creating large and technically challenging screenprints like this one. The magazine sought to create designs for all that could be viewed by all: pre-internet paper-based democratic art making. This General Idea poster was released for AQUI's 7th issue.
The image comes from another GI work, "Ghent Flag," which they made in 1984 to coincide with an exhibition at the Museum Van Hedendaagse Kunst, Gent. The image represented their version of the city's flag, replacing the lion with a recurrent GI symbol: the poodle.
Questions about this piece? Contact us, call +1.416.704.1720, or visit our Toronto gallery.
"Poodle: AQUI"
Poster for AQUI Magazine
Canada, 1985
Oversize-poster in paperboard envelope: screenprint
From an edition of 250
Published by AQUI Magazine, Brooklyn
Signed "AA Bronson for General Idea"
69"H 45"W (work, unfolded)
11"H 17"W (folded)
Very good condition. With original paperboard mailer envelope.
- Where does the inventory ship from?
Our inventory is divided between New York and Toronto.
- Where do you ship to?
We can ship anywhere. Typically when we ship within North America we prefer to use FedEx or DHL. To Europe, Asia and beyond we generally use DHL.
- How much does it cost to ship?
For shipments within North America, we typically charge a flat rate fee. Many items on our site will list the rate. For shipping outside of North America, we can easily provide a quote and will look for the most efficient and economical option.
Most of the items on our site can be easily shipped internationally.
Occasionally we will recommend that an artwork be removed from its frame for shipping. Larger framed works are typically framed with plexiglass. We export over 80% of what we sell, so we are comfortable shipping anywhere.
- Are there additional taxes or fees?
When a work is valued above $2,500 usd there is a possibility of tax of 0.35%, but this is applied sporadically. There can similarly be an additional fee for customs brokerage and this can range from $20 - $65. US Taxes, duties and customs brokerage are not included in our flat rate shipping. However most of our shipments to the US enter without any additional fees.
- Do you provide a certificate of authenticity?
Yes, we guarantee everything we sell. We can provide both a digital and printed version of our certificate of authenticity.
What is your return policy?
- Caviar20 wants you to be 100% satisfied with your purchase. We have a 7 day no-questions full refund return policy for your purchase. Shipping charges are non-refundable. Return shipping is the responsibility of the customer. After 8 days returns are given a credit note. There is no expiration for our credit notes.
- What payment methods do you accept?
Canadian clients are welcomed and encouraged to pay with interac.