In 1967, General Idea was founded in Toronto by AA Bronson (b. 1946), Felix Partz (1945-1994), and Jorge Zontal (1944-1994). Over 25 years, they made a significant contribution to postmodern and conceptual art in Canada and beyond.
The group was both prolific and multi-disciplinary long before it became de rigueur. They worked across various media including photography, sculpture, painting, mail art, video, installations, multiples, and performance.
In the early 1980s, General Idea was commissioned by the Toronto Stock Exchange to create a mural.
"East Wall of the Main Floor Stairwell" is one of the final preparatory drawings for the installation. The work features General Idea's hand-written inscriptions which detail the anticipated location for the mural's components. The mural merges two very distinct concepts; the notion of a "bull" and "bear" market, relating to the stock exchange, and the constellations of Ursa Major (Great Bear) and Taurus (Bull)
The mural's existence has attained an almost mythic status among General Idea fans in Toronto. When the stock exchange closed its trading floor, the building was renovated and the mural vanished. Today the mural's fate remains shrouded in mystery, with speculations on whether it was destroyed or was lost in storage.
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"East Wall of the Main Floor Stairwell"
Canada, 1983
Pencil, gouache, and gold leaves on paper
Signed, titled, and dated by the artist
31"W 22.75"H (work)
35.5"W 27.5"H (framed)
Framed with museum glass
Very good condition.
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