The Planning, Environment & Property Podcast

How does Artificial Intelligence affect art and cultural institutions? Richard Harwood KC of 39 Essex Chambers and Clarissa Levi of BHL Art Group talk to Emily Gould, Assistant Director of the Institute of Art and Law, to discuss the use of creative works for training generative AI; who owns rights to AI produced works; and the use of AI in art attribution. They try their hands at AI-produced art themselves, with slightly worrying results.

What are the Parthenon Marbles? Were they lawfully removed from the Acropolis in Athens by Lord Elgin’s agents in the early Nineteenth Century? What ethical issues arise by their retention at the British Museum? How might the dispute be resolved?

Richard and Clarissa talk to Alexander Herman, Director of the Institute of Art and Law, about his brilliant new book The Parthenon Marbles Dispute, which is the first title in Hart Publishing’s new Art Law Library. Alex’s other book, Restitution: The Return of Cultural Artefacts is also available.

The Acceptance in Lieu scheme allows Inheritance Tax to be paid with art. Clarissa Levi and Richard Harwood KC talk to Professor Frances Fowle of the University of Edinburgh and Scottish National Galleries. They discuss an important collection of paintings, heritage strategy and an unusual application of the AiL Scheme.

Most of Britain’s heritage is cared for by private owners. Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi talk to Ben Cowell OBE, the Director General of Historic Houses. They discuss the threats to country houses and their safeguarding over the last 50 years, fueled by entrepreneurial owners and fiscal measures.

Ben’s new book The British Country House Revival is published in May 2024.

What became of the art once owned by Jewish collectors in Nazi Europe? Restitution expert Richard Aronowitz explains his work in provenance research in the commercial art world, finding “just and fair solutions” for looted art.