Success in the art world can mean different things to different artists. While some artists work solely for the pleasure of producing art, others seek external recognition, such as being shown in prestigious galleries or museums, and selling their craft. The latter — profitability, recognition, demand — is how success is traditionally defined in the field. But out of all the emerging artists across the world, only a select few will make it to international recognition in their careers. Network physicist Albert-László Barabási believes he can predict who it’s going to be. And he doesn’t even need to look at the artist’s artwork. While talent is essential for an artist's success, understanding the networks in which their work is embedded is perhaps even more important. Access to these networks is determined by complex dependencies, with gatekeepers, such as institutions and galleries, playing a crucial role in an artist's access to the market. Through mapping out these networks, Barabási has been able to predict artistic success with impressive accuracy. With an acute understanding of the various institutions and galleries that routinely lead to the center of the network, an artist can increase their chances of success and longevity in the art world.

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Chapters:

0:00 The key measures of success in art

0:48 Whose job is it to discover artists???

1:16 Mapping the value of art through network science

2:53 “Incredibly accurate” predictions

4:47 Talent matters

5:22 The challenge for young artists

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This interview is an episode from ⁠@The-Well⁠, our publication about ideas that inspire a life well-lived, created with the ⁠@JohnTempletonFoundation⁠.

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