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:
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:
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.
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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:
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.
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.
Thank you for reading this issue !
See you next week ! ✌
xoxo
Nahiko
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I share 1 new thing I learned in the NFT space, every Sunday ✨ Don’t miss the next one:
Beautiful insight. Thank you for sharing this inspiring and encouraging piece.
Thank you ! I'm glad you appreciate it
well said
🙏 the goat