Art Law and the Art of Law

A Review of the Interactive Workshop ATTYS X ELSA

On December 3, 2024, ATTYS hosted an event on art law for members of the student association ELSA at the Künstlerhaus, the oldest art association in Vienna. The event provided participants with the opportunity to engage deeply with the legal aspects of the art world.

Program Overview

The afternoon began with a guided tour of the current exhibition “Substanz,” giving visitors deeper insights into the artworks on display. This was followed by a workshop in the “Salon,” where participants expanded their knowledge of art law. The event concluded with a relaxed Meet & Greet, allowing students to network further.

Three Reasons to Participate

Why this workshop was particularly worthwhile:

  1. Interactive Learning: Participants explored key legal issues in exhibition law, forgeries, and art & artificial intelligence (AI) through real-life case studies.
  2. Expert Knowledge: Saskia Leopold, an art law expert from ATTYS, provided valuable insights into case resolution.
  3. Fascinating Perspectives: The event demonstrated the diverse and exciting nature of art law—right in the heart of a unique art environment in Vienna.

Workshop: Introduction to Art Law & Case Studies

In the workshop’s main session, Saskia Leopold, LL.M. (Columbia), introduced participants to the fundamental aspects of art law. This was followed by an analysis of three real-life case studies:

  • Forgery: What rights does a buyer have if an artwork turns out to be inauthentic?
  • Art & AI: Who owns an artwork created using artificial intelligence?
  • Exhibition Law: Can an artist demand that a sold artwork no longer be exhibited?

Participants discussed these cases in groups, presented their solutions, and were awarded a certificate of participation at the end.

Conclusion

The event was a great success, offering law students and art enthusiasts a unique opportunity to experience the intersection of law and art firsthand.

We would like to thank everyone involved and look forward to future events!