144:. The Pageant was a manifestation of General Idea’s on-going glamour/art world dialogue. Through the medium of the Pageant – a classic example of glitz, glam, and extravagance – General Idea critiqued the art system’s ironic taboo on the word “glamour”, a system based heavily on money, notoriety, and publicity, all of which inevitably leads to glamour and fame. The Pageant was a concrete model for the abstract art world and, to put it one way, its vices. “It was in extremely bad taste to talk about glamour. It was the last subject in the world that anybody would mention. And the same with money and fame. … It would have meant the end of their careers probably, if were demonstrably any of those things. Although secretly, of course, they wanted all three.”
162:, 1975). The Pageant demonstrated the workings of the art world through each part of the machine: the artists – sixteen participants from across Canada; the public art institution – the AGO; the art authorities (or judges) – the influential art consultant Dorothy Cameron, David Silcox, (former Dean of Fine Arts at York University), and “General Idea’s Glamour Consultant” Daniel Freedman (Canadian actor); and of course the art audience – the public. As part of their performance the museum itself was subverted from the authoritative house of art into a mere backdrop – a set for a theatrical production.
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participation, Janis
Campbell, New Brunswick, and three artists did respond at all – Ray Johnson, cleric Father Malachi, and artist Robert Fones. One photograph from each submission was selected by General Idea to be enlarged and presented at the 1971 Miss General Idea Documentation, displayed at A Space the week before the Pageant, along with the silkscreen brown latex rubber print of the
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After a short intermission, during which the ballots for “Miss
Generality” were counted, Pascal performed “Whatever Lola Wants”. The winner of “Miss Generality” was Margaret Coleman, who was presented with a tape of the audience’s applause at the announcement of her win. Miss Honey gave her farewell
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On
October 1st the Pageant unrolled with the grandeur and glamour of any televised awards ceremony. Camera crews captured the entire event: the arrival of the guests by limousines greeted by doormen (members of the AGO staff in white hats and gloves), the mingling of the audience, the judges, and the
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were hung from the ceiling above the stage. The stage was decorated with four large wrought-iron candleholders, two by the piano and two by the bar, which served
Japanese wafers, and coffee for free. Four urns were placed around the stage containing long, elegant pheasant feathers. At 7:50 p.m. dry
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is basically this: a framing device we have framed for our own devices to contain our frame-ups. The Search for the Spirit of Miss
General idea is the ritualized pageant of creation, production, selection, presentation, competition, manipulation, and revelation of that which is suitable for framing.
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Art’s central myth continually renews itself with the apotheosis of a star, artist, or research group in whom the community of the art world, from the critic to the collector, projects and transfers consumerism in the art community… In this manner the cycle of myth-making continues and perpetuates
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Each “finalist” was asked to take eight photographs of themselves modelling The Miss
General Idea Gown, and to submit these with the application form and the box with the packing materials it came in (brown paper wrapping, stamps, etc.). Twelve artists responded to the call. One artist declined
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The programme began with a performance by Pascal, the “General Idea’s
Chanteuse”, of the General Idea theme song, “We Get Ideas”, lit by a spotlight and backed by projections of palm trees. A.A. Bronson, as MC, introduced the guests to the audience and presented the various gifts that would be
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were set up along the walls of Walker Court for viewing and ballots were given to the public for them to cast their vote for “Miss
Generality” (the people’s choice). The centre of the Court was taken up by the stage and the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prize-stands. Three mannequins wearing the
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speech, Pascal sang “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”, and then the three finalists were once again invited up on stage. The winner was announced: Marcel Dot, who was showered with flower petals that dropped from the ceiling, and presented with the latex rubber print of the
291:. After Miss Honey’s video presentation, “Miss Honey Movie”, Pascal dedicated the song “Black Coffee” to her reign. The sixteen participating artists were introduced by A.A. Bronson and Miss Honey through a series of slides, and the three finalists were announced.
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We wanted to be famous; we wanted to be glamorous; we wanted to be rich. That is to say, we wanted to be artists … We knew that if we were famous, if we were glamorous, we could say we were artists, and we would be. We did and we are. We are famous, glamorous
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The
Pageant’s “finalists” – sixteen pre-selected artists from across Canada – were each sent an "Entry Kit" – a box silkscreened with the Pageant logo (a tropical island vista with sunset and swaying palm trees) – by insured mail, containing:
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tickets ($ 2.50) in hand, at 7:45 p.m. The “guests” arrived in red carpet-style, roving searchlight outside the gallery lighting their way. Visitors were greeted by a videotape welcome by Miss Honey (Miss
General Idea 1970). The
275:– a found 1950s porcelain figurine of a scantily clad sea spirit seated atop a large stripped fish. The concept of the Pageant was explained through a slide show. Next the previous year’s Pageant winners – Mimi (
153:, the identity created by General Idea for their artistic muse, in 1968. The Pageant framed the concept of the glamourous art world but was also a part of that world. Of the 1975 Pageant General Idea stated, “
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contestants, the MC (A.A. Bronson himself) and the entertainment, and the dramatic “May I have the envelope please” moment. Everything was elaborately coordinated from the speeches to timed standing ovations.
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The Miss General Idea Gown – a dark brown-coloured dress with a specially printed letterpress tag (one of sixteen left over from Betty’s )
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An application form requesting name of the contestant (or of the “stand-in” of his/her choice) and the name of the photographer
305:. The Pageant closed with the theme song “I Get Ideas.” Marcel Dot changed his name to Marcel Idea in honour of the occasion.
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A black-and-white photograph of the reworked Globe and Mail article (about Betty’s) featuring The Miss General Idea Gown
232:. The judges were invited to see the work and select the 3 finalists and the winner, to be announced at the Pageant.
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A silkscreened card folder containing a typed letter of invitation signed by Granada Gazella, Miss General Idea 1969
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ice was loaded into the Walker Court fountain, enveloping the visitors in an enigmatic mist.
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A black-and-white photograph of the Artist’s Conception: Miss General Idea 1971
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1970) – presented one another and reminisced briefly on their experiences as
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A black-and-white photograph, signed, of Miss Honey, Miss General Idea 1970
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136:) undertook the organization and execution of a major exhibition titled
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Invitation to the 1971 Miss General Idea Pageant Event, October 1, 1971
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which took place on October 1st, 1971 at the Art Gallery of Ontario.
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85:. This is part of the documentation for the performance piece by
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A folded acceptance card with pre-addressed return envelope
353:. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. p. 163.
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411:The Search for the Spirit: General Idea 1968-1975
396:The Search for the Spirit: General Idea 1968-1975
381:The Search for the Spirit: General Idea 1968-1975
336:The Search for the Spirit: General Idea 1968-1975
120:On October 1st, 1971, the Canadian art group
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212:The 1970 Miss General Idea Pageant Programme
230:Artist’s Conception: Miss General Idea 1971
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109:— General Idea, excerpt from “Glamour,”
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173:itself in waiting for the new ‘star’.
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271:awarded that evening, including the
160:The 1984 Miss General Idea Pageant
155:The 1984 Miss General Idea Pageant
149:The Pageant derived its name from
138:The 1971 Miss General Idea Pageant
90:The 1971 Miss General Idea Pageant
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215:The Pageant entry form and rules
253:Miss General Idea Documentation
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200:A General Idea business card
69:is in the collection of the
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368:. JRP|Ringier. p. 50.
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113:, vol. 3, no. 1, fall 1975
364:Bonnet, Frederic (2011).
31:Miss General Idea Pageant
303:Miss General idea Trophy
273:Miss General Idea Trophy
283:1969), and Miss Honey (
29:Invitation to the 1971
413:. Art. pp. 65–75.
398:. Art. pp. 65–75.
383:. Art. pp. 65–75.
338:. Art. pp. 65–75.
262:Miss General Idea Gown
248:Beauty without Cruelty
142:Art Gallery of Ontario
71:Art Gallery of Ontario
50:Art Gallery of Ontario
33:Event, October 1, 1971
409:Bayer, Fern (1997).
394:Bayer, Fern (1997).
379:Bayer, Fern (1997).
349:Allen, Glen (2001).
334:Bayer, Fern (1997).
246:The public arrived,
299:Artist’s Conception
257:Artist’s Conception
351:Artist's Magazines
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96:Description
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79:Ontario
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