Info for Art-snobs

Dictionary of Italian art law. The guide of art law thought for those who work in the art scene - Abstract.

Forget the boring monotony of most legal textbooks, and let yourself be seduced by a book ready guide you through the complicated world of artistic property law, but adroitly and not without a touch of irony. The information offered is up-to-date, as we would expect from this author, and will not seem so difficult after just a few pages. The format is a dictionary and includes a very useful system of elaborated cross references. There are a few more than 50 entries and yet the overall contents will be extremely useful to antique dealers, archaeologists, artists and their heirs, art consultants, collectors, curators, editors, galleries, sponsors, auction houses, museums, designers, fashion designers, fund raisers, restorers, art historians, press offices, or those who are simply curious or passionate about art. For this book offers them the legal advice about the art world which will allow them to make informed decisions. We might even say that this book is a sort of etiquette reference for art addicts. It includes anecdotes, curious facts, jokes, cases and strange examples from a world which is ever more global, more multi-millionaire, more glamorous; a world characterised by linguistic contamination. So it is no accident then that the author chose to reflect on everything which counts as art today: photography, installations, performances, design, video art, digital art, land art, as well as fashion, because as those who are involved know, the world of art, especially contemporary art, and the world of fashion are very close indeed. Though of course, she is also concerned with judicial questions relative to cultural heritage and archaeology, as the Italian context requires.

The author - Silvia Segnalini.

As an Italian art lawyer she practices especially in the field of cultural heritage, copyright and legal advice on art and collecting. She is also a research assistant in Roman Law at the Roman Law Institute of the University of Rome – La Sapienza. She gives classes and conferences on the legal aspects of the international art market both in Italy and around the world. She is a member of the Aldus Club, an international club of bibliophilism, based in Milan; she belongs to the Friends of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome and to the Friends of the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art of Rome. No one knows much about Silvia’s own collections, which she keeps well guarded – but we do know that she is herself a restless collector: her collections go from scarce books (her first passion), pass through rare and exceptional wines (that she tastes obviously…) to the iconic bags 2.55. Being herself an eager and devoted art addict, she visits incessantly the best-known art fairs, renowned galleries, museums, etc. to meet those who have an influence on the international art system in order to analyse and to capture new and innovating tendencies, inspirations and suggestions for her work and passions. And last but certainly not least: Silvia is a dear friend of mine !