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The Société de Genève des Arts has kindly invited me to give a talk on art transactions at the Palais Athénée on 22 May 2025. This event is open to the public and can be attended upon registration below. 

Each acquisition of a work of art involves three fundamental checks: authenticity, price, and provenance. Authenticity ensures that the work was indeed created by the claimed artist; the price must be fair and reflect the current market value; and provenance traces the artwork’s history to ensure it has not been stolen or illicitly obtained. These checks are essential to prevent fraud and legal disputes. By reviewing a few recent court decisions, this lecture aims to establish the rules and responsibilities of the parties involved in art transactions and highlights best practices to ensure transparent and secure dealings. It also addresses issues of legal and ethical compliance, the challenges related to looted artworks, and the importance of documentation and traceability.

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way images are created, distributed, and perceived. From photorealistic visuals to abstract artistic creations, AI-generated images blur the lines between reality and fabrication, raising pressing questions about authenticity, copyright, and ethical use. This conference will bring together experts to examine the opportunities and risks associated with AI-generated imagery, particularly in journalism, media, and creative industries.

One key focus will be the legal and ethical challenges surrounding AI-generated images. In light of the pending lawsuits and early court decisions, the discussion will explore whether human authorship should remain a requirement for copyright protection and how AI training datasets, often built on existing works, impact the rights of original creators.

Another major issue is the role of AI in journalism and news reporting. AI-generated images are increasingly used to illustrate articles, raising concerns about source verification, audience trust, and misinformation. How can newsrooms ensure that AI-generated visuals do not mislead readers? Can readers distinguish between photorealistic and illustrative AI-generated images? And how do manipulated visuals affect journalism?

At a time when AI-generated images become more prevalent across media and creative industries, this conference will offer a critical discussion on how to navigate their use responsibly. Join us for an in-depth exploration of the challenges and possibilities of AI-generated imagery.

Programme

14:50 – 15:10 AI generated art – legal certainties and uncertainties

15:10 – 15:30 Dialogue TARNUTZER & BANDLE, followed by questions from the audience

16:00 – 17:00 Panel discussion

Chair: Prof. JULIA GELSHORN, Professor of the History of Modern and Contemporary Art, University of Fribourg, with:

The 9th edition of the RAM annual conference is dedicated to artists – the most important player in the art market. 

Their creativity, expression and vision inspires and speaks across generations and time…but to succeed their artwork, must be valued, explained, exhibited and promoted. 

Our expert speakers will address the following topics and questions through a practical lens:

• Artwork commissions to contracts, pricing and sale restrictions;

• Existing risks for artists navigating an uncertain and evolving market and the role other actors can play;

• Building a responsible art market to support artists;

• Non-resale clauses: a barrier or a necessary protection for artists?

• Speculation and its impact on the sustainability of an artist’s career;

• and many more.

The full programme will be published soon. You may already register online. Early bird offer expires on 22 December 2024.

REGISTRATION  (deadline: 26 January 2025)