NEW YORK – March 19, 2012 – As Premier Corporate Partner of The Association of International Photography Art Dealers (AIPAD), AXA Art Insurance Corporation, the specialist art insurer, will use its presence at the fair to continue the company’s global focus on protecting fine art photography.

The best defense in safeguarding the value and longevity of photographic collections is to take the appropriate measures to protect the art from known hazards. Overexposure to light is among the most destructive risks to photography. AXA Art will address this issue in its lounge during the AIPAD Photography Show, using images taken by renowned photographer Erwin Blumenfeld for the cover of iconic American Vogue in the early 1950’s. Corresponding messages will serve to demonstrate the detrimental impact of prolonged exposure to light as well as simple procedures to protect photographic works from these effects.

In 2010, the AXA Art Research Grant was awarded to Le centre de recherche sur la conservation des collections (CRCC) of Paris, one of the rare research laboratories in Europe that works on the preservation of photographs. Led by the CRCC’s Director, Professor Bertrand Lavedrine, the grant supported an examination of preventive measures to protect fine art photography as well as the development of an improved dosimeter—a device to monitor the impact of light on sensitive art objects, including photographs, prints, drawings, and watercolors. At the close of the research, AXA Art will make a dosimeter available to its clients. A prototype of the dosimeter will be on display at the AXA Art Lounge at the AIPAD fair.

This year’s AIPAD Photography Show New York takes place March 29 through April 1 at the historic Park Avenue Armory. More than 75 of the world’s leading photography art galleries will present a wide range of museum-quality contemporary, modern, and nineteenth-century photographs to collectors. The Gala Opening to be held Wednesday, March 28th will support InMotion, a not-for-profit organization that provides free legal advice and assistance to women and families in domestic crisis.

About AXA Art

International reach, unrivaled 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.com.