Today we finish the LA ART Fair, 1/15-1/20/14.
The time has come to address the predators that attend high-end art fairs as a means of stealing and re-distributing high definition images of original works. The “photographers,” often from a distance, using large lenses, blatantly shoot images with the sole intent of stealing. This thievery is unacceptable. Artwork that took artists’ months to complete was stolen away in seconds!
Much time, money, and energy was spent during 2013 to end a blatant copyright infringement upon one of our gallery artists. A “painting mill” in China was selling copies of work at low prices; undermining the integrity and subsequent sales of her limited edition, signed and numbered archival prints. Our gallery is not the only one to fall victim to such underhanded and shameless abuse. We must work collectively to protect the rights of artists and those that support them.
A plan of action is necessary and there is but one solution.
Hi-Def cameras, excepting credentialed press and public relations specialists, must be BANNED from art fairs. If not, then expect images of artwork to be made available on the streets by thieves before originals have sold. We appreciate legitimate press, and the many on-lookers using smart phones to photograph images out of curiosity and respect, or as a means to recall an artist’s name or booth number. Hawkers, however, are not welcome and are, in fact, breaking the law in many cases. We must position ourselves to protect against the thieves who feed images to the “painting-mills.” Stealing images can be stopped.
We ask the artists, management, and galleries to DEMAND an end to this practice. The first step is simply to ask that large cameras, save for legitimate press, be banned from all art fairs.
If you are made aware of an infringement, we offer and suggest the following steps to help mitigate and bring an end to your abuse.
Let’s do this!!
Richard Demato
Art Dealer
RJDGALLERY.COM
