General Idea
GENERAL IDEA “PLA©EBO (PIN)”, 1991
The group was both prolific and multi-disciplinary long before it became de rigueur. They worked across a wide range of media including photography, sculpture, painting, mail art, video, installations, multiples, and performance.
With their subversive approach and interest in parody and appropriation, General Idea addressed a broad range of social (and art-world) issues such as the cult of the artist, mass media, queer identity, and consumerism.
Thematic continuity was a key element for General Idea, who utilized longevity as an avenue to delve deeper into, build upon, and evolve with the complex and nuanced subject matter they took on.
At the onset of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, the illness (and the apathy/ignorance toward it) became a dominant motif in their work.
Perhaps their most iconic series is their appropriation of Robert Indiana’s “LOVE”. General Idea subverted his iconic work to read "AIDS" using the same font and bold color arrangement of red/green/blue as the original.
This trio of colors became a mainstay in General Idea’s work, ultimately becoming a recurring palette that would "infect" their artwork and signify the power and ubiquity of the AIDS pandemic.
“Pla©ebo (Pin)” is an intimate emblem produced for General Idea’s PLA©EBO series, exhibited in Toronto, Cologne, and Paris in 1991. Shaped like a pill, the pin commemorates the introduction of General Idea's pill motif, a recurring trope in their critique of the response to the AIDS crisis.
This work is from the first edition, published in 1991, and is distinguished by the gold-colored backing. (As opposed to the second edition released in 1996 on a silver background).
In 1994, two of the members, Felix Partz and Jorge Zontal died of AIDS. General Idea's surviving member, AA Bronson, continues to practice as an independent artist and oversees the representation, exhibition, and reedition of General Idea’s work internationally.
Questions about this piece? Contact us or call +1.416.704.1720.
Visit our Toronto gallery on Thursdays or by appointment.
“Placebo (Pin)”
Canada, 1991
Enamel on metal lapel pin
From an edition of 300
0.5”H 2.5”W (pin)
5"H 5.75"W (framed)
Excellent condition
- 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.