Since the beginning of the twentieth century, the expressive drive of modern artists has profoundly transformed the very concept of art, significantly expanding the range of creative practices and initiating a progressive process of the dematerialization of the artwork.
This new artistic paradigm has challenged the traditional framework of copyright law, which has historically been grounded in the materiality of the work. As a result, copyright law has been compelled to undertake a significant interpretative effort to accommodate emerging artistic forms while remaining faithful to its fundamental objectives: protecting authors and fostering cultural and creative development.
Contemporary art—understood not only as artistic production but also as encompassing museum display practices and conservation strategies—therefore calls for a reassessment of the legal frameworks that govern it. Such a redefinition, however, can only emerge through an ongoing and constructive dialogue among all stakeholders operating within the artistic and legal spheres.
