

Art in Brief
Paris Sistilli and Andrea Konigs
Have you ever wondered how the law shapes the world of art? In Art in Brief, a podcast for the Center for Art Law, Paris Sistilli and Andrea Konigs break down the biggest, most exciting questions about art, law, and art law - delving into everything from copyright disputes and contracts, to art theft, provenance, and intellectual property. Cover Art by Kira Kotler Design and Music by Roy Tabet, Edited by Paris SistilliFor more information check out the Center for Art Law: https://itsartlaw.org/
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 16, 2026 • 25min
Inside the Rema Hort Mann Foundation: From Emerging Artists to the Next Generation of Collectors
In this episode, we had the opportunity to speak with Elysia Borowy, Executive Director of the Rema Hort Mann Foundation, Christy Ceriale, founder of the foundation’s Young Collectors Initiative, and Antonio Vidal, one of the recipients of the 2026 Emerging Artist Grant.Through these three perspectives, we explored the inner workings of one of New York’s most prominent art foundations, hearing firsthand about the realities of running a philanthropic arts organization, building a career as a working artist, and navigating the world of collecting as a young person in the city.Founded in 1995, the Rema Hort Mann Foundation supports both emerging visual artists and individuals battling cancer, providing grants and resources at pivotal moments in their lives and careers. Learn more about the foundation and its programs here:https://www.remahortmannfoundation.org/Check out Antonio's work here: https://www.instagram.com/antonio.vidal.l/ Support the show

Feb 2, 2026 • 44min
From Khartoum to Cairo: Saving Sudan’s Heritage with Ali Nour
In our first episode of the year, Paris and Andrea speak with Ali Nour, who recounts his journey from Khartoum to Cairo amid the ongoing civil war, and describes how he became involved with the Emergency Response Committee - a group of Sudanese heritage officials working to safeguard Sudan’s cultural heritage.Upcoming Events: Art Lawyering Bootcamp: Copyright Law:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/art-lawyering-bootcamp-copyright-law-tickets-1977628671593?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurlArtist Legacy & Estate Planning Clinic:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/artist-legacy-estate-planning-clinic-tickets-1369639341139?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurlSupport the show

Dec 15, 2025 • 26min
Patty Gerstenblith on Cultural Heritage Law & Armed Conflict
Patty Gerstenblith, a law professor and pioneer in cultural heritage law, discusses destruction of cultural sites in war. She covers the evolution of the field, legal tools against trafficking and returns, limits of international courts like the ICC, comparisons between Ukraine and Gaza, and why documentation, political will, and preservation planning matter.

9 snips
Nov 15, 2025 • 37min
Authenticity and Algorithms: An Interview with Carina Popovici
Carina Popovici, a physicist-turned-entrepreneur and founder of Art Recognition, shares her journey into the world of art authentication using AI. She reveals how her team trains algorithms to recognize an artist’s style and detect forgeries, drawing on her unique background. Carina discusses ethical concerns in the art market, addressing biases and the role of human experts alongside AI. She emphasizes the need for transparency and responsible frameworks, aiming to foster trust in the intersection of art and technology.

Sep 5, 2025 • 46min
Protecting Cultural Heritage in Ukraine
Paris and Andrea are joined by Roksolana Makar and Anastasiia Olexii to discuss how Ukrainians are fighting back against Russia’s assault on their cultural heritage From documenting destroyed sites to preserving artifacts and seeking justice for cultural war crimes, they show how protecting heritage is central to defending the nation's identity.For more information on HeMo, the Ukrainian Heritage Monitoring Lab, the Raphael Lemkin Society and Wall Evidence, check out the resources below! People of Culture Taken Away By The War: https://pen.org.ua/en/lyudy-kultury-yakykh-zabrala-vijna HeMo:https://www.heritage.in.ua/War Archive: https://ukrainewararchive.org/eng/ Wall Evidence: https://wallevidence.mizhvukhamy.com/ https://instagram.com/wallevidence Raphael Lemkin Society:https://www.facebook.com/lemkin.societyhttps://lemkin.org.ua/index_en.htmlhttps://www.instagram.com/lemkin_society?igsh=ZHp6eGx5ZG1kYzVxSupport the show

8 snips
Aug 15, 2025 • 55min
Art Under the First Amendment: Freedom, Limits, and Controversy
Simon Frankel, a judge and law lecturer, and Stephen Urice, a law professor and former archaeologist, dive deep into the tug-of-war between artistic expression and government control. They discuss the implications of the First Amendment on visual arts, touching on the controversial cancellation of an exhibition and landmark obscenity cases. The conversation navigates the complexities of defining art, legal interpretations, and the balance between censorship and free expression. Their insights shed light on the evolving legal landscape surrounding art and its critical importance in contemporary society.

Jul 31, 2025 • 34min
Inside the FBI Art Crime Team: From Undercover Agents to Founders of ALI
In this episode, Paris and Andrea sit down with former FBI Art Crime Team agents Ronnie Walker and Dave Bass.They share incredible stories from their time undercover, including recovering a multi-million dollar stolen pair of ruby slippers and bringing one of America’s most infamous art forgers to justice.Now out of the Bureau, Ronnie and Dave reveal how their experiences led them to co-found The Art Legacy Institute, and what’s next in their mission to protect artists and their work.A big thanks to Eva Bella for guiding the research for this episode.Connect with Ronnie and Dave Here: https://bsky.app/profile/artcrimeguy.bsky.socialhttps://x.com/artcrimeguyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ronnie-walker-b64953176/https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-bass-97a11b297/For More Information: Art Legacy Institute: https://www.artlegacyinstitute.org/ https://www.instagram.com/artlegacyinstitute_org/https://bsky.app/profile/artlegacyinstitute.bsky.socialhttps://x.com/artlegacy_orgAlitheon: https://alitheon.com/ AWS: https://aws.amazon.com/government-education/nonprofits/?ams%23interactive-card-vertical%23pattern-data--2066256937.filter=%257B%2522filters%2522%253A%255B%255D%257D Ruby Slippers Case: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/magazine/wp/2019/04/30/feature/the-case-of-dorothys-stolen-ruby-slippers/Earl Washington Case: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/18/arts/earl-washington-woodblocks-art-fraud.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ZE8.RkOq.-8-4beaBhG5o&smid=url-shareSupport the show

12 snips
Jun 27, 2025 • 18min
The Debate Over Artist Royalties
Dive into the heated discussion on Artist Resale Rights and the varying practices across countries. Explore whether artists should earn royalties from resales and the historical context behind this debate. The conversation also highlights ethical dilemmas and how market dynamics influence artist compensation. This is a captivating look at the intersection of art and economics!

May 27, 2025 • 35min
Navigating Nazi-Era Looted Art with Raymond Dowd
Paris and Andrea sit down with Raymond Dowd, one of the foremost voices in art law and cultural and intellectual property.Together, they speak with Raymond about his experiences working on cases involving Nazi-era looted art, with a particular focus on the case Cassirer v. Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection Foundation.They also explore the complexities of navigating conflicting international legal systems, as well as the postwar incentives that fueled the acquisition of stolen art.Support the show

10 snips
May 13, 2025 • 30min
AI, Copyright, and Art
Atreya Mathur, a legal expert specializing in AI and copyright law, dives into the intriguing case of Thaler v Perlmutter. She explores the complexities of AI-generated art and its copyright implications, discussing key issues of ownership and ethical dilemmas faced by artists. The conversation touches on the balance between human creativity and AI’s role in art creation, along with the evolving stance of the U.S. Copyright Office on authorship. Attendees will gain insight into the legal challenges artists encounter in this new frontier.


