AXA ART Announces its Program Line-up at Art Toronto 2012

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Oct. 23, 2012) -

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.

AXA ART is proud to be the official art insurer of Art Toronto for the fifth year running and looks forward to engaging collectors, dealers and members of the art world in attendance at Canada's leading contemporary art fair. Once again this year, as part of its collection management series, AXA ART will use its presence at TIAF to enhance the experience of its clients, guests and attendees by profiling topics on collecting and caring for works of art.

"Collectors surround themselves with valuable, rare and historical items", said Ann-Louise Seago, Vice President and Senior Fine Art Underwriter of AXA ART in Canada. "With insurance an integral part of collection management, our role as the world's only art insurance specialist calls for providing guidance and assistance to our clients as they seek to maintain the value and conditions of their collections."

On display at AXA ART booth 1412:

"My Ghost" by Adam Fuss serves to create an impactful presentation which showcases the importance of proper handling of works of art. The piece broke loose from its hooks on the wall, crashing to the ground, shattering the glass in which it was encased; irreparably damaging the artwork while badly damaging the frame of another work along the way. The damaged work will be on display for the duration of the fair. Visitors are invited to question the story surrounding its condition and discuss how it could have been prevented.

Art Shorts - Friday through Sunday of the fair at 1:30pm:

Olga Korper Gallery on the collector-dealer relationship. Entering a gallery should not be intimidating. This talk and tour will help to familiarise collectors with the process of buying from galleries and introduce them to a variety of dealers. Topics will include what to consider when buying a work of art. What you should ask a dealer. If any questions are taboo and when you should trust your instincts. Meet at the AXA ART booth.

Follow Through

Last year at Art Toronto, AXA ART programmed Through Photographic Lens, a project focused on the conservation of fine art photography with an emphasis on light damage. Supported by the AXA ART Research Grant, Le Centre de recherche sur la conservation des collections (CRCC) combined research and scientific innovation to create an improved dosimeter. This simple and easy to read device helps custodians of art to measure light impact on sensitive art objects. Samples will be on view at the AXA ART booth this year.

AXA ART aims to be an available resource to stewards of the art world. With more than 60% of its claims deriving from incidents due to improper handling, packing and transport conditions, the art insurance specialist is redoubling its efforts to keep collectors apprised of simple measures that can help to prevent sometimes avoidable situations - which often times amount in substantial economic and emotional loss.

AXA ART's fine art experts and underwriters are uniquely attuned to the nuances in each category of collecting. They work in tandem with a network of international art industry experts, allowing for access to expertise on risk assessment, loss prevention, security, fire protection, restoration, market valuation, disaster recovery and more.

We invite you to access the AXA ART website for a variety of articles with useful advice on caring for various collectible objects, curating a collection and many other topics. Particular collection management topics will be available in hard copy at the AXA ART booth so that attendees to Art Toronto can take home the information of most interest to them.

About AXA ART

International reach, unrivalled competence, and a high quality network of expert partners distinguish AXA ART, the only art insurance specialist in the world, from its generalist property insurance competitors. Over the past 50 years and well into the future, AXA ART has and will continue to redefine the manner in which it serves and services its museum, gallery, collector, and artist clients, across North America, Asia, and Europe, with a sincere consideration of the way valuable objects are insured and cultural patrimony is protected. For more information visit www.axa-art.ca.

*AXA ART insurance services in Canada are provided by AXA Insurance (Canada) Inc.

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