TORONTO—AXA ART is pleased to return to Toronto’s premier art market event, Art Toronto, for the fourth year as the official art insurance partner. Since its inception, Art Toronto’s reputation has grown in prominence as an important destination for collectors seeking contemporary art from Canada and around the world.

AXA ART is widely recognized as the leading global specialist for insuring works of art and collectibles. The company’s presence at Art Toronto 2011 allows for engagement with members of the art and collecting communities in attendance and the opportunity to share AXA ART’s more than 50 years of expertise in caring for collections.

Through Photographic Lens

This year, AXA ART’s scope of activities at Art Toronto will be centered on protecting the beauty and value of fine art photography. Images from the cover of the iconic American magazine Vogue, taken by renowned photographer Erwin Blumenfeld in the early 1950’s, will adorn the walls of the AXA ART booth with corresponding messages which will serve to demonstrate how beautiful works can loose their value by over-exposure to light.

“During the acquisition process, collectors are usually captivated by the aesthetic beauty, rarity, or quality of a particular piece or genre,” noted President and CEO of AXA ART’s North American operations, Christiane Fischer.  “Through Photographic Lens serves to bring attention to the inherent characteristics of fine art photography and to share best practices in the proper care and preservation of photographic collections.”

AXA ART underscores its commitment to protecting fine art through the AXA Art Research Grant which supports projects that seek to develop and disseminate relevant conservation techniques and the underlying science. The most recent AXA ART Research Grant was awarded to Le Centre de Recherche sur la Conservation des Collections (CRCC) of Paris. Led by the CRCC’s Director, Professor Bertrand Lavédrine, the grant was awarded to examine preventive measures to protect fine art photography and introduce an improved device to monitor the impact of light on sensitive art objects, including photographs, prints, drawings, and watercolours.

Ann-Louise Seago, Vice President and Senior Fine Art Underwriter for AXA ART in Canada, re-enforced the company’s goals, stating, “AXA ART Insurance was founded by collectors who understood that art represents more than aesthetic beauty or wonderment. Ultimately our daily work serves to support collectors as they seek to protect the value and longevity of their art and collectibles.”

To continue the discussion on enhancing the collecting and ownership experience, join us in the AXA ART Booth (No. 1212) for conversations and docent-led tours.

Through Photographic Lens, October 28 and 29 at 1:00pm
Explore brilliant examples of contemporary photography beginning with conservation tips by an international expert; a tour of photography galleries exhibiting at Art Toronto 2011 follows.

Art Shorts, October 28-31 at 3:30pm

AXA ART and a private collector share helpful hints on managing and caring for your collection.

Media Contacts:

Rosalind Joseph
Head of Global Public Relations
AXA ARTt Group
718 710 5181
rosalind.joseph@axa-canada.com

Julie McKernan
Public Relations Contact
AXA ART in Canada
416 928 8524
julie.mckernan@axa-canada.com

Above: Detail, Alternate of the Vogue U.S.A. cover, March 15th, 1953. © The Estate of Erwin Blumenfeld. Courtesy of the Nicéphore Niépce Museum, Chalon sur Saône, France.