Never before have images been copied, shared and transformed at such a pace around the world as they are today. The use of images in traditional, digital and social platforms is now a pervasive part of every interaction in contemporary society.

Voice of the Artist: Age of the Image is a forum which will explore a world where the image is as much a part of our personal lives as it is about our professional outputs. It begs the question, 'how do we value the image and create opportunities for creators, users and consumers?'

By international and national industry professionals and academics sharing how they've responded to these challenges, this forum is highlights the importance of the image in contemporary society, its role in business and how the respectful use of images by working together can help build a stronger economic future for the Australian creative industries.

This event will feature the arts publisher from MoMA New York, Christopher Hudson.

You will learn:

• Digital trends, the impact of social media on the arts and how to harness the power of the 'everyday curator' in arts marketing.
• Copyright and broadcasting: how can we encourage more art on film and TV. 
• The image and social media: user examples, what's legal and best practice. 
• How the arts can create more immersive digital experiences to connect with audiences.
• The future of arts publishing: understanding the risks and avoiding the legal pitfalls.

TOPICS & SPEAKERS

The Rise of the 'Everyday Curator' 
// MIKALA TAI - DIRECTOR OF 4A CENTRE FOR CONTEMPORARY ASIAN ART 

The traditional role and meaning of curating has shifted. In 2016, anyone with access to the internet can curate and become an 'influencer'. This shift represents a significant challenge to the art world which is only just beginning to respond and harness the power of the 'Everyday Curator'.

Blurry Scenes: The Invisibility of Art in Film and TV 
// OLIVER WATTS - ARTIST, WRITER, LECTURER

From the Kardashians to interior design shows, so worried are producers of potential infringements that instead of going through the "hassle" of licensing, they blur or neglect to show artworks at all. Instead of protecting the cultural ecosystem, the laws, coupled with the reality of production constraints, are suppressing art altogether.

Digital Art in the Social Realm
// DR MELISSA DE ZWART - PROFESSOR, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH IN LAW AND ETHICS  

Artists, creators and arts entrepreneurs are increasingly using social media as the platform to showcase their works, however this highly graphic platform creates particular risks for visual artists with the ease of reuse, misattribution and redistribution. We will look at examples of user practice, the relevant laws and possible responses.

Connecting with Audiences through Immersive Digital Experiences
// BECKY SUI ZEN FREEMAN - PRODUCER, ART PROCESSORS 

Becky Sui Zhen will unpack the way digital tools are designed to deepen the connection between digital and physical worlds through the immersive use of image, sound, location and context. She will use examples of recent projects that illustrate how Art Processors adapted to the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Navigating the Future of Arts Publishing
// CHRISTOPHER HUDSON, ART PUBLISHER MoMA NEW YORK

Managing image rights can be a labyrinth for artists, estates, writers, publishers, scholars and readers, but there are practical ways to navigate these to avoid legal pitfalls, better understand risks of using images that are sourced online, respect artists and strengthen relationships.