Why do some artists succeed ?

Hi Pals !

I attended an Art Residency last week ! 🏰

It inspired this week's article, Why do some artists succeed (but you don't 😂) ?

Estimated read time: 2 minute 12 seconds.

A life-changing experience

A few weeks ago a good friend & collector invited me to an Art Residency.

So I stepped outside my comfort zone (meaning I accepted talking to people without using a keyboard 😅)

And it changed my life.

It opened up many potential collaborations, curations, exhibitions etc.

This would not have happened if: I had not met these amazing people,

This would not have happened if: my friend had not invited me,

This would not have happened if: I had no network.

Science shows artist success is tied to their network

It reminded me of this beautiful map:

*"The Art World" network map created by Alfred H. Barr Jr. for the MoMA*

Kandinski, Picasso, Apollinaire, Duchamp, Debussy, O'Keefe,...

they all knew each other.

Still not convinced ?

Scientist @Barabasi, showed an artist's success can be predicted by the first 5 galleries they work with:

Albert-László Barabási

@barabasi

YES, WE CAN predict artistic careers, after mapping out the invisible networks that govern prestige and value in art. Three year work with a fabulous team, published last week in Science! Read the paper: goo.gl/mDs7Qw or Ch3 in #TheFormula formula.barabasi.com.

It goes well beyond the traditional art world

You think this only applies to Art ?

It applies to anything that cannot be measured.

In fact, even when results can be measured, success is still tied to networks !

here's a hilarious example for athletes:

*from CBC's* *article* *on Barabasi's book "The Formula"*

Does this apply to NFTs ?

Short Answer: Probably.

Research from Barabasi on Superrare published in the New York Times showed that the market is "clustered" around a few collectors.

*"SuperRare Primary Network" by Barabasi Lab*

While this also happens in the trad art world,

it seems to be even further exaggerated in the NFT space ! 😭

So, what should artists do ?

I'm not sure.

Who cares about Success ?

I care about Legacy.

But Legacy needs people carrying it.

So go out, connect. Be fearless.

Human connections are exactly this: HUMAN.

Your next best friend is right around the corner.

to you, whom I met last week, thank you.

Dive Deeper:

Hidden Masterpieces: Successful Artists Are Master Connection Creators

Quantifying NFT‑driven networks in crypto art

Quantifying reputation and success in art

BARABASI LAB · ART · NFTS

This first instance, in any sport, that the #1 women's player in the world beat the #1 men's player, took place in September 2002, when Judit Polgár defeated Garry Kasparov in chess. The NFT, released by Judit Polgár in collaboration with BarabásiLab, commemorates this unique moment in history.

https://barabasi.com