#aa bronson

[havesexwithghosts]

AA Bronson, Elijah Burgher and Uriel Brewer, Who’s Afraid of Red, White and Black?, 2012

[brooklynmuseum]

Throughout the 1970s, Jimmy DeSana created theatrical, often comic photographs related to his sexual S-M experiences.

Like other artists in his circle, such as Laurie Simmons and AA Bronson, he parodied advertising and fashion photography, as well as the disciplinary nature of heteronormativity and consumerism in the United States. He eventually published some of these photographs in his first book, Submission (1980), which included an introduction by the punk icon William Burroughs.

The photographs in this series typically feature nude, masked individuals eccentrically interacting with domestic interiors and objects. DeSana staged most images in his studio or the homes of friends and family. He used his signature lighting to create a heightened sense of drama and horror, calling attention to the images’ artifice. DeSana later observed: “I was trying to push sexuality to the limit. As long as I could come up with an idea that related to bizarre sexuality and still make an interesting statement about a product, the photo was successful for me.”

📷 Jimmy DeSana (American, 1949–1990). Sofa, 1977–78. Gelatin silver print, 6 1/2 × 9 1/2 in. (16.5 × 24.1 cm). Courtesy of the Jimmy DeSana Trust and P·P·O·W Gallery, New York. © Estate of Jimmy DeSana. (Photo: Allen Phillips)

[las-microfisuras]

GENERAL IDEA (Felix Partz, Jorge Zontal, and AA Bronson)

Tomas Arana and VB Gown no.5 in the Giardini, Venice, 1980

[strathshepard]

AA Bronson’s bookshelf, which includes Jon Hendricks’ Fluxus Codex. I used to look at this book a lot in the library at Parsons. it’s very hard to find and I don’t have it myself

[flugame-mp3]

working in craft scholarship is really cool until you're reading a book to bolster your argument on craft as a form of community symbolism and a protest technique and you are stopped in your tracks moved to tears by a photograph in the book's section on the AIDS quilt. oh my god.

[k00293995]

Week 1 Disrupt: 12/10/23

I am interested in the use of corsets to disrupt and modify one’s natural figure, so I started looking on Pinterest and google, searching artists who use such props in their own works. I found some very interesting photographs!

Catherine Summers: Fashion Blogger Photographer:

A photograph featured in her 1990 art college fashion photography degree show:

Here is a blog post she wrote part of which containing how she created this photograph, along with others from her degree show…

(https://www.notdressedaslamb.com/2019/05/my-1990s-art-college-degree-fashion-photography.html/amp)

The Corset X-ray (1908)

Photograph from the French Doctor: Dr Ludovic O’Followell

How interesting and harrowing to see how one training their body with a laced up corset can affect their bone structure…

This is Michaela Stark, who creates ‘bodies’ of work using lingerie on herself and others to contort, disfigure and sculpt, displaying body parts people have been conditioned to hide away from the world…

(Photographed by Sølve Sundsbø)

I find these images so interesting in the way that things are wrapped around body parts to create sections of flesh that bulge and protrude in different directions!

I then stumbled upon this photographer while looking on Pinterest:

John Rankin Waddell: Photographer

Using a similar technique to Stark, we see rubber bands around the head, creating an effect of bulging flesh & skin…

I scrolled to similar works and found this picture

AA Bronson: Photographer

and searched him and found another of his works, again creating a similar effect to both the previous mentioned artists/photographers.

I think this is a great start to my research of “disrupt” encapsulating the world of body dysmorphia and “perfect body standards” and utter distortion of the natural human form.

[harvardfineartslib]

“Queer Sprits” is an artist’s book that documents the past few years of AA Bronson’s performance as an unofficial queer shaman in “Invocation of the Queer Spirits,” a collaboration with Peter Hobbs. AA Bronson (1946 -) is an artist, healer, curator, and educator based in Toronto and Berlin. In the sixties, he founded a free school, a commune, and an underground newspaper. In 1969, Bronson formed the artists’ group General Idea with Felix Partz and Jorge Zontal. For the next 25 years, they produced living artwork of their living and working together and exhibited their work widely.  The group was known for their magazine FILE (1972-1989), “an alternative to the Alternative Press,” which focused on punk, queer theory, and AIDS activism.

Bronson was the Director of Printed Matter, Inc. in New York City from 2004 to 2010, and founded the annual NY Art Book Fair in 2005.

In “Queer Spirits,” AA Bronson and Peter Hobbs invoke the homometaphysical in New Orleans, Winnipeg, and Governors Island and Fire Island in New York. At each location they staged a unique Invocation, secret group rituals that unearth queer and marginalized spirits at each site.

The Harvard Fine Arts Library also holds File Magazine (v. 1-29) in its Special Collections. HOLLIS number: 990062723520203941

Queer spirits A.A. Bronson & Peter Hobbs. Bronson, AA, 1946- 1st ed. New York : Creative Time ; Winnipeg, Man. : Plug In Editions ; Zurich : JRP/Ringier, c2011. 176 p. : col. ill. ; 24 cm. HOLLIS number: 990130723920203941

Happy Pride Month!

[banffcentrelibraryandarchives]

Understanding Artists' Books

The Paul D. Fleck Library & Archives holds over 5,000 artists' books - and the collection continues to grow through a combination of donations and purchases every year.

But what is an artists' book?

Well, part of the (usually exciting) challenge of artists' books is that they're difficult to define. For the Emily Carr University Art and Design library, the artists' book collection "encompasses books conceived, crafted, published, produced or altered by an artist, designer or collective with the intention of creating an independent art work ." But for the Smithsonian Library, "[a]n artist’s book is a medium of artistic expression that uses the structure or function of 'book' as inspiration—a work of art in book form." Our collection sits somewhere in between, encapsulating works in both of these definitions - and some works that are beyond either. In our library, you'll find do-it-yourself zines and handmade chapbooks from small presses, sculptural pieces, weavings, objects, comic art, flipbooks, and dozens of other specific forms.

Our collection began in 1985, when the director of the Walter Phillips Gallery, Lorne Falk, handed Bob Foley (Banff Centre's first full-time librarian) a suitcase's worth of artists' books and said, "These are yours, you should do something with them." Through a meeting with AA Bronson, an artist who founded Art Metropole and the New York Art Book Fair, Foley expanded the collection by developing relationships with publishers and distributors. Since then, the collection came to include artists such as Dieter Roth, Ed Ruscha (whose artists' book Every Building on the Sunset Strip inspired the creation of this tumblr page!), Barbara Kruger, Joseph Beuys, Mieko Shiomi, Yoko Ono, Gertrude Stein, and John Cage.

Please take your time to explore our tumblr and our library catalogue - and if you ever get the chance, please come and explore our artists' books in person. The library staff are always excited to answer questions or help you find what you're looking for.

If you'd like to read more about artists' books, consider these books:

Aarons, Philip E. and Andrew Roth, editors. In Numbers: Serial Publications by Artists Since 1055. Zurich: PPP Editions, 2009.

Arnar, Anna Sigrídur. The Book as Instrument: Stéphane Mallarmé, the Artist's Book, and the Transformation of Print Culture. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2011.

Castleman, Riva. A Century of Artists Books. New York: Museum of Modern Art; distributed by Henry N. Abrams, 1994.

Drucker, Johanna. A Century of Artists' Books. New York: Granary Books, 1995.

Phillpot, Clive. Booktrek: Selected Essays on Artists' Books since 1972. Zurich: JRP Ringier, 2013.

[joshuaoliveira]

Aids , 1987

AA Bronson

[demon-dance-club]

tbp vinyl sleeve project update!

the front cover is almost finished! just need to refine the text...

i have to have a rough draft of the entire sleeve and the labels on the vinyl done for tomorrow, so there'll def be another update later today!! it's easy to forget this is still a school project lulz...

also, here's a sneak peek wip of the back! i hope it's obvious that it's the imprint of a head in a pillow?? xp

originally i only intended it to be a visual representation of the empty space left behind by the patient. over the weekend tho, i came across a theory about how tbp might have originally been about aids, not cancer.

looking at it that way, it kind of turns into a reference to AA Bronson's photo of Felix Partz (who passed away because of aids) on his deathbed. i'd def recommend looking it up, just be aware that it's pretty graphic. basically felix is propped up on multiple pillows and covered in blankets, so i think it's interesting to bring back the pillow as a reference, this time with no one there.

[historybetweenthepages]

Exhibition catalogue published in conjunction with Art Metropole’s 10th Anniversary exhibition, which took place from November 17 to December 8, 1984 in Toronto. Catalogue designed by AA Bronson, with texts by John Goodwin, Christina Ritchie, Peggy Gale and AA Bronson. Including a checklist of the exhibition, video & audio programmes, a chronology of events from 1974 to 1984 and a list of publications published by Art Metropole during these 10 years.

[whatsonmedia]

Artful Odyssey: A Global Exploration of Creativity

Embark on a global art journey—from Tokyo's vibrant Art Week to LA's shadowy allure with Rosemary Mayer, London's rebellious debut by Elena Garrigola, Erin Holly's transformative spaces, to the satirical brilliance of General Idea's retrospective. Join us for a concise exploration of diverse, captivating artistry that transcends borders and sparks inspiration! Art Week Tokyo 2023 When: 2 - 5 Nov Where: Okura Shukokan Museum of Fine Arts, and more. Immerse yourself in Tokyo's vibrant contemporary art scene at Art Week Tokyo 2023. From November 2 to 5, this event, curated by Japan Contemporary Art Platform with Art Basel, links 50 art spaces through a free shuttle bus. Don't miss the "AWT BAR" for artist-inspired cocktails and dishes by emerging chefs. Beyond exhibits, enjoy children's tours, educational sessions, symposiums, and online talks with global curators. The diverse venues, including Okura Shukokan Museum of Fine Arts, promise an unforgettable art experience. Rosemary Mayer: Noon Has No Shadows When: 12 Nov – 23 Dec Where: Hannah Hoffman and Marc Selwyn, Los Angeles Rosemary Mayer's inaugural Los Angeles exhibition, "Noon Has No Shadows," spans two galleries in the city. Selwyn features works from the late '70s and early '80s, while Hoffman presents a non-linear display of pieces created between the '70s and '90s. Mayer, a pivotal figure in conceptual, fiber, and feminist art, transitioned from conceptual engagement to sculptural practices exploring draping and material manipulation. A founding member of New York's A.I.R. feminist collective, Mayer's posthumous recognition includes major exhibitions and a book of correspondence with poet Bernadette Mayer, reflecting their feminist, humorous, and politically thoughtful approach. Elena Garrigola: Debut Solo Exhibition When: 1 Nov – 22 Dec, 2023 Where: Saatchi Yates, 14 Bury Street, St James’s, London SW1Y 6AL Explore Spanish artist Elena Garrigolas' debut solo exhibition at Saatchi Yates. Running from November 1 to December 22, the showcase features 17 new works, portraying a diverse array of visceral and bewildering imagery. Drawing from dreamscapes, internet culture, and personal experiences, Garrigolas transforms mundane scenes into striking and provocative self-portraits. Raised in a religious environment, Garrigolas, in rebellion, confronts suppressed emotions and challenges her Catholic upbringing. Her surrealist subjects delve into motherhood, ageing, and beauty, inspired by feminist artists like Frida Khalo and Miriam Cahn. Through self-portraiture and satirical scenes, Garrigolas navigates dark themes with humor as a defense mechanism, allowing exploration of personal pain without vulnerability. Erin Holly: A Trans Arrangement of The Painted Space When: 16 Nov – 9 Dec   Where: JD Malat Gallery, 30 Davies St, Mayfair, London, W1K 4NB Debut exhibition at JD Malat Gallery, Nov 16 – Dec 9. Erin Holly's vibrant oil paintings explore interior spaces, inspired by DIY manuals and interior advertisements. Coinciding with Trans Awareness Week, the exhibition symbolically addresses accessibility challenges for transgender individuals. Holly's spatial restructuring, akin to a musical arrangement, invites viewers to explore new perspectives. General Idea: Retrospective When: 22 Sep – 14 Jan, 2024 Where: Gropius Bau Dive into the thought-provoking world of General Idea at Gropius Bau's retrospective from September 22, 2023, to January 14, 2024. This exhibition unveils over 200 works that span the late '60s to the early '90s, showcasing the creative brilliance of Felix Partz, Jorge Zontal, and AA Bronson. As pioneers challenging societal norms, the trio uses humor and satire to address themes from consumer culture to queer identity. Developed in collaboration with AA Bronson, the exhibition goes beyond traditional displays, immersing you in a captivating experience through installations, publications, videos, and more. Join us for an extensive journey through the wit, wisdom, and rebellious spirit of General Idea. Admission Fee: €15, reduced fee €10. Read the full article

[ftnbooks-blog]

General Idea ( from 1969)

As part of the late 1960s Toronto counterculture, AA Bronson (b. Michael Tims, 1946, Vancouver), Felix Partz (b. Ronald Gabe, 1945, Winnipeg, d. 1994), and Jorge Zontal (b. SlobodanSaia-Levy, 1944, Parma, d. 1994) united in 1969 to form the single entity known as General Idea. From their earliest projects, such as the staging of The 1970 Miss General Idea Pageant, to later activist initiatives…

[las-microfisuras]

GENERAL IDEA (Felix Partz, Jorge Zontal, and AA Bronson)

Felix Partz wears V.B. Gown #3 at City Hall, Toronto, 1975. Image courtesy of canadianart.ca

[lanuitlennuie]

And so on

En 2017, alors que nous réfléchissions aux manières d'accueillir du monde pendant 3 jours à kabane77, j'étais tombée sur une photo d'un terrain de jeu en construction à Pointe-St-Charles et le blog qui en expliquait le projet : « In the summer of 1972, Opportunities for Youth, a Canadian federal government program, enabled 18 young people to work on two playgrounds. Located on vacant lots in Pointe-St-Charles, these play spaces were inspired by Europe’s adventure playgrounds. There had never been anything quite like them in Montréal before or since. The projects were under the overall direction of McGill University School of Architecture students, Pieter Sijpkes and Joe Carter who encouraged counsellors to take their cues from the kids.»

Au retour de l'expo de General Idea, j'écoute une entrevue de AA Bronson qui m'aide à comprendre la tristesse et l'angoisse qui m'ont gagnée au fil de la visite. Ça n'est pas seulement le SIDA et son avancée qui m'accablent, mais aussi le sentiment très réel de vivre dans un monde totalitaire, toutes marges habitables capturées, assiégées ou disparues. Les débuts de GI sont vifs et peuplés. On y joue et on y pense beaucoup avec ce qui est là ou qui traine; l'art suit, il est méthode et mode d'existence tout à la fois, on étire les idées pour les occuper.

Dans l'entrevue AA évoque l'origine du magazine File, rendu possible par un programme mis en place sous Trudeau pépère et qui finançait de jeunes artistes pour monter des projets retournant à la communauté. De nombreux terrains de jeux pour enfants avaient émergé de ce programme. General Idea avait choisi de créer le sien propre, par et pour la communauté d'artistes.