Art Law explores the practical legal problems of visual artists and the commercial art world. We address the question of "What is art?" and examine artists' efforts to protect their art through copyright and moral rights as well as their legal relations with dealers in art (from museums and galleries, to auction houses and individuals).
Artists who push the boundaries of what is acceptable in mainstream society have often faced attempts to censor their work. The course will include slide presentations of controversial works by Robert Mapplethorpe, Andre Seranno and Madonna (before entering motherhood and her spiritual phase).
The course may include simulations, where students negotiate contacts to sell various works of art, and field trips to local galleries and museums. Past guest speakers have included David Lockington of the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, Edith Lambert of the Edith Lambert Gallery in Santa Fe, an auctioneer and a museum director.
The text for this course is DuBoff, Burr, and Murray's "Art Law: Cases and Materials" (William S. Hein. & Co. 2004.