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…
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…
Up Against the Wall: part 1
‘I am told that you have a thorough knowledge of the subject of artistic copyright. And write to ask if you would be so kind as to give some advice on the subject. I…
Copyright and Moral rights: New legislation (part 2)
Last month, we began to examine the new copyright law (contained in the Copyright Designs and Patents Act of 1988) which will come into force in May or June 1989 looked at…
Art Online
Many myths abound, and there is much ignorance and misunderstanding about the use of images online and the sale of works using e commerce. What are the key issues involved, is there any legal protection and have any…
Can the organiser of an art show subsequently decide to remove a work from the show ?
Yes, and in the absence of a written agreement between you and the organiser, or in the absence of a suitable clause in…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…