In 1958, Alexander Calder's mobile "Pittsburgh" was donated by a private collector to Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, for installation in the Greater Pittsburgh International Airport. The mobile was originally black and white, but when it was installed, Allegheny County had painted it green and gold to match its official colors. While Calder did protest, his work was not restored to the original black and white during his lifetime.
Having already relinquished ownership of the work when it was sold to the collector, did Calder, as the creator of the work, still have a right to insist that it not be altered? Even if he did not, was it wrong for Allegheny County to alter the artwork against his wishes? Could we say that the artwork itself had a right not to be altered, regardless of whatever rights Calder or Allegheny County might have had?
We answer these questions and concerns in this podcast!