Supreme Court declines AI artwork copyright case review
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to review a case concerning the copyright status of artwork generated by artificial intelligence, specifically an image titled "A Recent Entrance to Paradise" created by computer scientist Stephen Thaler in 2012 using his AI system, DABUS. The U.S. Copyright Office ruled that the artwork was ineligible for copyright protection due to the absence of human authorship, a decision upheld by lower courts. Thaler's legal team argued that this ruling could hinder the development of AI in creative industries, while the Copyright Office maintained that existing laws require human authorship for copyright eligibility.
Arco Madrid Opens Amid Protests Over High VAT
As Spain's largest commercial art fair, Arco Madrid, opens its 45th edition from March 4-8, 206 galleries from 36 countries are participating amid protests from Spanish galleries against the country's 21% value-added tax (VAT) on art, the highest in Europe. Maribel López, the fair's director, emphasized the need to amplify the concerns of local exhibitors, who argue that the high VAT hinders their competitiveness compared to galleries in neighboring countries. The fair features a significant representation of Spanish galleries, accounting for 34% of the exhibitors, alongside a strong presence from Latin American countries.
82nd Whitney Biennial Opens with Diverse Artistic Voices
The 82nd Whitney Biennial opens this weekend at New York's Whitney Museum of American Art, featuring 56 artists, duos, and collectives curated by Marcela Guerrero and Drew Sawyer. This year's exhibition, which lacks a central theme, showcases a diverse range of materials and formats, with a notable political focus and contributions from artists representing various identities, including approximately 30% identifying as queer and several from outside the U.S. The Biennial is set to address contemporary themes such as the relationship between humans and nonhumans and the impact of American empire.
Fondation Louis Vuitton to Host Calder Retrospective 2026
The Fondation Louis Vuitton will host a retrospective titled "Calder. Rêver en Équilibre" from April 15 to August 16, 2026, celebrating the centenary of Alexander Calder's arrival in France and the fiftieth anniversary of his death. The exhibition will feature nearly 300 works, including mobiles, stabiles, and contributions from contemporaries such as Jean Arp and Pablo Picasso, spread across 3,000 m², highlighting Calder's exploration of movement, light, and space.
Ant and Dec sue art consultant over profit disputes
Television presenters Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, known as Ant and Dec, are pursuing legal action against an unnamed art consultant, referred to as X, who allegedly made "secret and unauthorized profits" from transactions involving their art collection, including works by Banksy. During a High Court hearing, their lawyer argued that a separate art dealer, Andrew Lilley, and his company, Lilley Fine Art, may hold crucial information regarding at least 22 transactions, which totalled a substantial sum, and requested a court order for disclosure of documents related to these dealings. The case highlights discrepancies in reported sale prices, including a Banksy piece sold for £13,000, where the consultant reportedly received £10,450 after commission.
