Copyright Protection Abroad
Copyright protection in the United Kingdom was dealt with last month, by explaining the nature of copyright (it only applies to ‘artistic works’ and ‘works of artistic craftsmanship’); who owns the copyright (the author, at first); what…
Who cares about art after death?
Turner did: Rothko did. But apart from that question, the Rothko case raises an equally serious and more practical question for artists: how to ensure that their art is dealt with, after death, according…
Rothko Revisited
There occurred in Sandy, London, Cardiff and Anglesey last month an important event for the visual arts which went largely unnoticed. That brief statement – rather like the ‘Who, When, Where, Why?’ newspaper adverts – hardly tells the…
Can I negotiate the lease / licence with my prospective landlord?
You will often be presented with a document described as the landlord’s ‘standard document’, the implication being that its terms and condition are non negotiable. This certainly does not…
Gormley on the Beach
Antony Gormley’s Another Place, 1997, has become the focus of extensive media attention centring on recent decisions made under UK planning law that will require his public artwork to be removed from its current and temporary…
Space Race: Part 2
Development Consultants David Powell is an independent property consultant and offered constructive perspectives and advice. There are 250 studio organisations in the UK, together offering 10,000 studio spaces, with as many artists again on their waiting…
Project budgets
Most funding applications will ask for a budget at some time during the process. Your budget should remain within the guideline amounts provided. It needs to clearly show how any monies provided will be spent, as well as…
Working relationships in public art commissions
Learn how to develop a relationship with your commissioner so that you both get what you need out of a commission. For the artist For the commissioner Compromising practice with practicality The nature of…
A Tax on Art Schools
Art education has undergone radical changes in recent years not just in the content of courses but also in the funding and administration of the colleges themselves. In fact, few art schools exist as such,…
Infinity goes up on Trial
The visual art market place has two essential facets, distinct but clearly interrelated, especially over recent generations: exhibiting and selling. Dealers usually occupy ‘gallery’ premises: partly for their principal object (making profits from sales); partly…
Sellers, Buyers and Auctioneers Beware
London is arguably the world’s leading art auction location, and the oldest. Sotheby’s was established in 1744, Christie’s in 1796, Bonham’s in 1793 and Phillips in 1796. The legal and business framework for auctions in…
Technology vs Copyright
May 1994 sees the launch of the Crafts Council Picture Bank – the first publicly accessible computer library of contemporary craftwork. Visitors will be able to walk into the Crafts Council, sit down at one of the…
Is it true is it OK to use short excerpts of music / film without infringing copyright?
It is myth that the use of short musical sequences, of say under 20 seconds, is exempt from copyright regulations. It is a…
What issues should I consider before hiring a space for a group show with other artists?
You should consider agreeing and signing a written contract with the owner of the building in question; and the owner of the building should…
DACS
‘New society for visual artists to protect their copyright and collect their copyright dues in the UK and worldwide.’ No kidding; and, what’s more, it’ll only cost £15 per year! The purpose of this piece is to persuade every…
Holography
Twentieth century visual artists’ propensity for introducing modern technology into their creative processes not only poses problems for traditionally minded perceivers, but also in other even more conservative areas – especially the law. Because something is happening here But…
Resale Royalty
Why Resale Royalties? The California Resale Royalties Act took effect on January 1, 1977 and gives visual artists the right to participate in any profit derived from their works of fine art. It is the first piece of…
Commissions and the responsibilities they bring, part 2
The answer to last month's poser (your commissioned art work sited in a public place falls down and injures someone five years after installation; are you responsible?) is: yes. 'Don't bring me…