Orphan Works Act

Wednesday May 21, 2008

I’m posting this because you are at least mildly interested in the visual artists if you’re reading my journal, so this may apply to you. I’ve heard about this in a few places now and thought it would be worth forwarding this email. Congress is considering “the Orphan Works Act of 2008,” which would make it much more difficult for artists to retain reproduction rights of images they create. Below there are links you can click on to learn more, or to send a form letter to your congressman and senators.

to learn more:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=CqBZd0cP5Yc

to take action:
http://capwiz.com/illustratorspartnership/home/

Yesterday I got a follow up email on this bill, which said the following:
“Last Thursday the Senate Judiciary Committee endorsed their Orphan Works Act. It is now headed for the full Senate. If you’ve written before, now’s the time to write again.Urge your senator to oppose this bill. Because it has been negotiated behind closed doors, introduced on short notice and fast-tracked for imminent passage without open hearings, ask that this bill not be passed until it can be exposed to an open, informed and transparent public debate.”

Estate 1963 oil and silk screened ink on canvas 96×70”

While I’m talking about unhappy subjects, I just found out that Robert Rauschenberg died May 12. Above is one of his paintings. He may not have been one of my absolute favorites, but he was an artist who’s work I did always enjoy for it’s energy, color, expression and fullness. His paintings kept alive the vocabulary and excitement from Abstract Expressionism, which I was always happy to be reminded of.

« busy busy busy weather!?!?!? »