# Why do some artists succeed ?

> Data shows it's not about talent 🤔

**Published by:** [Nahiko's Bookmarks](https://paragraph.com/@nahiko/)
**Published on:** 2024-11-25
**URL:** https://paragraph.com/@nahiko/bookmarked-36

## Content

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 experienceA 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 networkIt reminded me of this beautiful map:"The Art World" network map created by Alfred H. Barr Jr. for the MoMAKandinski, 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. 509 3:19 PM • Nov 11, 2018 It goes well beyond the traditional art worldYou 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 LabWhile 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.Zima Blue Artwork by @Brokenbeanie 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 artBARABASI LAB · ART · NFTSThis 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.comThank you for reading this issue ! See you next week ! ✌ xoxo NahikoIf you enjoyed this issue, please tap the Share button below ❤ Thank you!Share on Twitter I share 1 new thing I learned in the NFT space, every Sunday ✨ Don’t miss the next one:Subscribe

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