Ansel Adams Trust Condemns Unauthorised AI Exhibition at AIPAD

The Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust has formally condemned the unauthorised exhibition of an AI-generated colourised version of Ansel Adams’ iconic photograph, Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico. The work was displayed at AIPAD’s The Photography Show by the Danziger Gallery, an event the trust describes as a significant breach of ethical standards in the art market.

According to a statement released this weekend, the trust alleges that the gallery exploited Adams’ name and reputation without prior consultation or notification. The trust emphasised that while Adams was historically supportive of technological advancements in photography, the core issue remains the unauthorised commercial exploitation of his identity.

The trust noted that Adams was "remarkably prescient about—and excited by—the potential of computers to transform photography." However, the current dispute centres on the lack of consent and the failure to identify any human artist responsible for the AI-generated alteration. The trust stated that the exhibitor allegedly used the artist’s work to make money without permission.

Once alerted to the display, the trust contacted James Danziger in real time to notify him of their rights and demand the work’s removal. Despite receiving this formal notice, correspondence indicates that Mr Danziger continued to leverage Adams’ name and the AIPAD presentation to pursue a proposed commercial AI colourisation venture involving other artists’ estates.

The trust described the incident as "a gross failure of ethical and professional judgment." They criticised the exhibitor for continuing to use the artist’s name for commercial purposes even after being informed of the unauthorised nature of the display, marking a stark contrast to the respectful engagement expected in the fine art sector.