Art law & strategy

Chris Burden's Unrealized Projects

After five years in the making, the Chris Burden Estate is honored to see Poetic Practical: The Unrealized Work of Chris Burden realized. This book presents 67 of Burden's unrealized projects of varying scope and ambition, and the Estate hopes that it will serve as a resource for years to come about Burden's work, including the diverse nature of his practice, and his interests and concerns.

To purchase copies of the book, please click here.

To read an interview about the behind-the-scenes of the book's making among Andie Trainer, Editor and Print Production Manager, Sydney Stutterheim, art historian and writer, and myself, please click here.

For two amazing reviews of the book, please see "Chris Burden's Impossible Artworks" by Andrew Russeth for The New York Times Style Magazine and "Trains, planes and a sea-faring hamster: Chris Burden's unrealised projects come to light" by Jori Finkel for The Art Newspaper.

Image: Chris Burden, "Modified Moon Piece" (2010), ink on paper (detail)

March 28, 2022

Museums and Cryptocurrency, NFTs and the Blockchain

Excited to have returned to the Legal Issues in Museum Administration conference to address museum lawyers and professionals about the hot topic of cryptocurrency, NFTs, and the blockchain, together with LACMA's General Counsel, Jeffrey Blair, and art lawyer, Sarah Odenkirk.

March 27, 2022

S.E.A. Focus 2022 Selling Art in a Virtual World

Honored to have been in conversation with Isa Lorenzo, Founder & Co-director of Silverlens Galleries in Manila and Christiana Ine-Kimba Boyle, Online Sales Director of Pace Gallery, moderated by Chloe Chu, Managing Editor of Asia Art Pacific, about the ever-changing ways that digital channels support the looking, learning and buying of art.

Watch the conversation here.

January 22, 2022

K-pop NFTs

Super honored to be supporting KLKTN, a digital collectible company connecting fans and artists in Asian culture, including K-pop and manga.

Commenting about ownership and NFTs, we note: “From a conceptual perspective, an NFT is the digital ledger entry that points to a specific digital object and its current owner.  Now, the NFT will generally include a unique resource indicator that points to the digital object, and the combination of the NFT with the associated digital object seems to be what people think of when they refer to a NFT.  What makes owning a NFT so special is that your NFT is uniquely connected to you and your wallet – even though it may be minted and issued in a larger edition (with other copies owned by other people), and you may not necessarily have the exclusive copyright to the associated digital object, the token you have is specifically and uniquely yours and, in that way, a one-of-one.”

Read the full article here.

January 18, 2022

NFTs: Future or Fad?

Beyond honored to have had a chance to collaborate and present with Megan Noh and Sarah Conley Odenkirk at a panel about some legal implications of NFTs on the traditional legacy art world and art market at the Kernochan Center for Law, Media, and the Arts at Columbia Law school.

For those of you who want a 101 or refresher on NFTs circa November 2021, please consider watching the panel here.

January 8, 2022

Caring for a Miniature City: Burden's Metropolis II

It was wonderful to speak, last year, with LACMA colleagues, Alison Walker, Kinetic Sculpture Conservator; Rita Gonzalez, Terri and Michael Smooke Curator and Department Head of Contemporary Art; and Jennie King, Associate Curator of Contemporary Art who steward and care for Burden's Metropolis II (2010).

Watch the recording here.

January 5, 2022

Artist x brand collaborations Part II

The Chris Burden Estate continued to celebrate its partnership with Vacheron Constantin in Miami by having interdisciplinary artist, Najja Moon, interpret the elements from Vacheron's flagship redesign inspired by Burden's "Metropolis II" (2010).  It was wonderful to be in conversation with Najja about her practice, hosted by the lovely Editor-in-Chief (and Art Mama), Katy Donoghue of Whitewall, speaking about art in motion and mark-making.

Read about the project and conversation here.

December 11, 2021

Unpacking Burden's Story at The Fabric Workshop and Museum

Honored to speak with artist and historian, Sandy Rodriguez, artist and arts worker, Mary Anne Friel, and Curator and Director of Exhibitions of FWM, Karen Patterson, about Burden's work and his time at FWM working on "L.A.P.D. Uniforms" (1993) and the socio-political influence of his artwork.

Watch the recording here.

November 23, 2021

Being Honest about Imposter Syndrome

Excited to have had a chance to speak with the lovely Bianca Wulwick on "Please Don't Kick Me Out", an inclusive podcast that Bianca runs about careers, professional development, and how we acknowledge and mitigate imposter syndrome.

Check out the podcast here.

October 19, 2021

Interview with Destroy Your Habits

I loved having a chance to collaborate with seasoned arts worker and dear friend, Eri Takane, on a conversation across time and space about art lawyering, routines and habits, and investigating the Q&A interview format. Read the interview here.

September 25, 2021

Artist x brand collaborations

Many of you know that the Chris Burden Estate undertook its first ever brand partnership (i.e, a brand collab) this year with historic watchmaker, Vacheron Constantin. The house took as inspiration Burden's Metropolis II (2010) to redesign elements of its NYC flagship.

Here are some recent press articles that help to explain the connections between Burden's practice and Vacheron's approaches: (i) an article in Artnet by Style Editor, Noor Brara; and (ii) an interview in Whitewall with Katy Donoghue.

September 12, 2021

Interview with Artling

It was wonderful to have a chance to chat with Jenevieve Kok and Talenia Phua Gajardo at Artling about the trajectory of my career in art law and my current work with artists.

Access the article here.

August 12, 2021

Anti-Asian Hate in the US

Honored to be in conversation with Professor Robert Campbell, a Japanese literature and culture expert, on the rise of anti-Asian hate, the deleterious effects of the model minority myth, the importance of having representation, and the power of social justice art.

Watch the video (in Japanese) here.

June 13, 2021

Rhizome: NFTs and the Law

Participated in a panel with fellow experts, Leila Amineddoleh, Alana Kushnir, and Megan Noh to discuss the legal implications of NFTs for collectors and artistic collaborators in a conversation hosted by Michael Connor of Rhizome

It was great to discuss the potential application of archival techniques & strategies for more traditional art mediums for NFT preservation, particularly in the context of the Warhol Foundation's recent NFT drop.

Watch the recording of the panel here.

June 7, 2021

theVOV: Conversation about Chris Burden with South London Gallery and LACMA

It was wonderful to be in conversation with Margot Heller, the Director of South London Gallery, and Carol S. Eliel, Curator of Modern Art, LACMA, about Chris Burden's lamp practice, hosted by theVOV, a new way to re-experience past physical exhibitions.

The recorded conversation is available here to watch.

May 20, 2021

Chris Burden Estate wins landmark copyright case in Indonesia

The Chris Burden Estate recently won a landmark copyright case in Indonesia.  Since 2018, an Indonesian tourist attraction was infringing on the rights of Chris Burden and other artists by producing copies of well-known artwork. The Estate had filed a copyright infringement case against the tourist attraction, and the Indonesian Commercial Court at the Central Jakarta District Court recently ruled in its favor that the Indonesian theme park and its owner has committed copyright infringement against Burden's Urban Light (2008).

This lawsuit proves that artist rights can be protected internationally through the application of the copyright framework. I so appreciate the analysis and decision by the Indonesian courts, and the support I have received over the years from IABF Law Firm.

Read more about the case in an article from Artnet here.

April 27, 2021

Asian American Artist Appreciation with Salon 21

It was lovely to speak with Alex Bass of Salon 21 and Sunhee Evans about Asian American artists I love (Christopher K. Ho, Greg Ito, Jean Shin, Martha Tuttle, and Zadie Xa), why it's important to learn about the histories of Asian immigrants in the US, the significance of solidarity among minority groups, and the power of art.  The recording is available here to watch.

April 13, 2021

Kenny Schachter on Art and NFTs

Delighted to have had a chance to speak with Kenny Schachter on NFTs and their legal aspects from an artist perspective. The Instagram Live is available here to watch.

April 7, 2021

What is Legacy Planning? A Legal Perspective

Honored to have been in conversation with Melissa Passman and Daniel McClean, two fellow art lawyers, about the legal structures that artist estates can take. Thank you so much to Tracy Bartley of the R.B. Kitaj Estate for bringing us together and moderating the conversation. The recording is available here to watch.

April 6, 2021

Punctum: Diffuse Reflection Feminism

I am so humbled to find myself in the company of such inspiring Japanese feminists. Organized by New Era Ladies, "Punctum: Diffuse Reflection Feminism" (at Book & Beer in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo) is an exhibition, book fair, and fashion pop-up that explores how intersectional and inclusive feminism can and should be realized in contemporary Japanese society. Two of the founders of New Era Ladies, Satoko Miyakoshi and super-KIKI have thoughtfully collaborated with me in developing some of the typographical objects available for sale at the pop-up, including (i) a non-functional compact mirror; and (ii) a wrap skirt / lap-blanket (accessible for those who are mobility-impaired).

To read about my intentions behind the phrases, please click here.

March 7, 2021

Loans and Consignments Panel

Delighted to have had an opportunity to converse with colleagues about loans and consignments for DeWitt Stern's Art & Business Forum Webinar.

February 25, 2021

The Law Gorgeous 2021 Art World Trends

To celebrate the start of periodic column, The Law Gorgeous, fellow art lawyer, Alana Kushnir, of Guestwork Agency, and I spoke about legal and quasi-legal trends in today's art world.

Images: Alana photographed by Justin Ridler, Yayoi photographed by Tomofumi Usa

February 11, 2021

Panel at Crozier / Iron Mountain GLEAM conference

Addressed experts from the Global Luxury, Entertainment, Arts & Media (GLEAM) businesses about digital archiving tools in the art world

February 3, 2021

Chat with Oxford University Society for Art Law

Addressed Oxford University's Society for Art Law about developing legal careers in the art world. Link here

January 27, 2021

The Power List: Top Female Attorneys in the Art World

Beyond honored to be included in an Art She Says article about top female attorneys in the art world

January 2, 2021

New Year's Resolutions

Included in an article about art world new year's resolutions

January 1, 2021

The Future of the Art World and Tech

Guest lectured with Scott Lawin, art x tech expert and investor, at Devang Thakkar's class for Sotheby's Institute of Art about the future of the art world and the role of tech

December 20, 2020

10 Trailblazing Women Working In Art Law

Feeling inspired to know that the bench of female-presenting art lawyers is deep, strong and global (the full article here)

December 1, 2020

Legal Tools for Artists

Conducted a lecture on legal tools for artists at the Professional Development Program for Artists hosted by curator Sara Raza at Hawai'i Contemporary

October 28, 2020

Institutional Governance during an Age of Social Justice

Moderated a panel about "Institutional Governance during an Age of Social Justice" with Franklin Sirmans, Director of the Pérez Art Museum Miami, and artist Manuel Mathieu for New York County Lawyers Association 12th Art Litigation/Dispute Resolution Institution

Watch the video of the panel here.

October 15, 2020

Dissemination of Japanese Contemporary Art and Culture

Addressed U.S. Japan Leadership Program Members about the dissemination of Japanese contemporary art and culture

October 3, 2020

Serpentine Gallery's Legal Lab

Spoke with Alana Kushnir of Guest Work Agency and Marie Potel-Saville of Amurabi about the Serpentine Gallery's Legal Lab at Center for Art Law

Watch the video of the conversation here.

September 28, 2020

Art in the Age of Brand Collaborations

Quoted in an article by Anya Firestone about the intersection between art and brand collaborations published in High Snobiety

September 15, 2020

Copyright and Chris Burden's Urban Light Sculpture

Spoke with Alana Kushnir of Guest Work Agency about copyright and Chris Burden's Urban Light sculpture

July 22, 2020

COVID-19 Urgent Legal and Financial Tips

Conducted a free webinar about urgent legal and financial tips during the COVID-19 pandemic with Ginji Wang for Mana contemporary

April 9, 2020

Museums and their endowment strategies during times of crisis

Quoted in an article by Aileen Kwun for DVDLDD about museums and their endowment strategies during times of crisis

March 6, 2020

New York Minute

Guest appearance on the New York Minute podcast by Mister Welfare

February 2, 2020

Lecture at Arts Initiative Tokyo

A write-up about my lecture at the Making Art Different course at Arts Initiative Tokyo

December 13, 2019

How to Make the Most of an Artist’s Estate

Quoted in an article by Jori Finkel for the Art Newspaper about artist estates

October 2, 2019

New Role

News about my recent move to become the Executive Director of the Chris Burden Estate and the Nancy Rubins Studio on Artnews; Artnet; Artforum; Hyperallergic; and Art Observed

May 1, 2019

Gallery-Artist Agreements

Conducted a webinar about gallery-artist agreements and how galleries can approach contractual relationships with artists

July 13, 2018

Brotopia

Spoke on a panel to celebrate the publication of Brotopia (a book by Emily Chang that explores the challenges women face in the tech industry)

February 7, 2018

Ownership Rights and Moral Rights

Spoke with Isaac Kaplan in an Artsy Editorial podcast on ownership rights and moral rights

February 7, 2018

The Possibility of Art to Revitalize a Community: Visiting Reborn Art Festival

Wrote about my experience visiting Reborn Art Festival, an international art festival held in Ishinomaki, Japan, an area that was heavily affected by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, in an article for Brooklyn Rail

October 1, 2017

Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA)

April 20, 2017

Fast Fashion and Copyright Infringement

February 10, 2017

The Art of the Law: Protecting Artists’ Right to Create

February 6, 2017

The Art of In-House Lawyering as a Solo GC

February 3, 2017

Artsy's Commitment to Open Source

January 2, 2017

Instagram Takeover

January 1, 2017

Asia 21

Asia 21, a network of individuals across the Asia-Pacific, recorded my experience participating in a public services project in Bhutan

July 26, 2014

Lineage of Eccentrics: Matabei to Kuniyoshi

Lineage of Eccentrics Matabei to Kuniyoshi, one of the first English language translations of Nobuo Tsuji's foundational text about 6 Japanese artists, has been published

January 1, 2012

The Coolest Art World Lawyer