Comments on: ‘Don’t do Art History’

By: Ben Lima

Ben Lima — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:20:18 +0000

I have been reading Susan Bielstein’s book, Permissions: A Survival Guide. Incredibly useful, and not (often?) taught in graduate school.

http://www.press.uchicago.edu/presssite/metadata.epl?isbn=9780226046372

By: D.G.

D.G. — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 00:08:26 +0000

Question:if reproducing text for the purpose of criticism is protected as “fair use”, why does a similar protection not exist for images?

By: hoodies and jeans prof

hoodies and jeans prof — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 00:34:53 +0000

Mine is due out this fall from a major univ press — my budget around $8000 for images, fees, permissions, fed ex. Contracts with museums, VAGA, ARS. In one case, 16 mos. to receive important rights. Careless editing and frustrating communication. If I had realized, I wouldn’t have. I agree; next book no images. But also one step further — straight to Kindle!

By: H Niyazi

H Niyazi — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 22:36:30 +0000

The print publishing industry as a whole is widely joked as still as stuck in the distant past.

I imagine Mary Beard was being flippant with her blog post title, but this really affects everyone, not just Art Historians. I imagine writers, legal types and publishers should work together towards a more robust solution to suit the modern publishing climate. The EFF.org exists to outline and protect bloggers, surely writers and academics have a similar body they can call upon to affect change in this area? If such a body doesn’t exist – then people need to stop lamenting and start the ball rolling on it. Waiting for the publishing industry to make the first move is no going to happen!

By: David Packwood

David Packwood — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:18:15 +0000

I was going to do a post on this because I have similar problems; although with me it’s not so much about tracking down the image- more about chasing people up in museums, orgs that hold the image rights.That can be frustrating and time-consuming.

Little did I know that an art history career wasn’t about coming up with original research, but negotiating the mine field of publishers, copy right agencies and other wolves lurking in the forest.

Can’t help thinking this is all wired up wrong.

David

By: H Niyazi

H Niyazi — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:47:34 +0000

I know what Mary is referring to, but what does that have to do with Art History per se?

There is definitely something hugely broken with imaging rights.

As much as having a book with no pictures would be easier – it would also make something considerably less appealing to many.