The complex and multifaceted relationship between creativity and networks

As I was cleaning out my drive, I found some memories, one of visiting the "Inventing Abstraction, 1910–1925" exhibition at the MoMA in New York City. As an avid fan of abstract art, I was excited to see some of the most iconic works from this movement. However, what struck me during my visit was the relationship between fame and creativity within the abstract art movement.

This experience inspired me to dive deeper into the subject, and I wrote this article exploring the complex and multifaceted relationship between creativity and networks. I examine how social structure and creativity play a role in achieving fame, the importance of individual mobility across fields, and how having a diverse network of peers can boost creativity.

I hope you'll enjoy reading my article and that it inspires you to consider the role of your networks and collaborations in your creative endeavours.

Over the years, there has been much discussion on the relationship between creativity and networks. The idea is that having a diverse and supportive network can enhance creativity, leading to greater fame and success in various fields. This theory is supported by research on the abstract art movement of 1910-1925, which found that artists with greater structural and compositional diversity among their peers were more likely to be famous.

Artists with a large and diverse network of contacts were most likely to be famous, regardless of how creative their art was. – Banerjee Mitali, Paul L. Ingram

However, not all agree that creativity drives fame. Some argue that social structure plays a more direct role in determining fame, enabling a producer's work to spread widely. Additionally, research has found that fame can be viewed as an illusion of creativity, with fame often resulting from external factors such as an artist's social connections rather than their actual creative output.

Greatest predictor of fame for an artist was having a network of contacts from various countries. – Banerjee Mitali, Paul L. Ingram

One key factor that affects the relationship between creativity and fame is individual mobility across fields. Famous innovators often shape our understanding of categories and can enhance mobility for others in the same field. Therefore, it is essential to consider the type of social structure that will support and enhance your creative output. Additionally, research has shown that having a diverse network of peers can boost creativity while being too closely connected with similar people can stifle innovation. Measures such as structural diversity, compositional diversity, brokerage, and closure can help understand an innovator's social structure and how it contributes to their fame.

However, it is essential to note that the context in which an artist operates can also significantly influence their creative identity. For example, the cosmopolitanism and nationalism of an artist's milieu can shape their creative output, and it is essential to consider these factors when examining how art is understood and valued.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that certain habits can prevent creativity from flourishing. One such habit is failing to take action on creative ideas. It is essential not just to let ideas sit as thoughts in your head but to pursue and implement them actively. And as discussed in my previous article, What if creativity could be expressed as a differential equation: Combining deep knowledge and new perspectives on a subject can facilitate creativity, but this requires thorough research and exploration as well as letting go of old mental models. This process of research and exploration can help facilitate creativity and lead to more innovative and successful ideas.

In conclusion, the relationship between creativity and networks is complex and multifaceted. While social structure and creativity play a role in achieving fame, it is essential to consider the context in which an artist operates and the habits that may prevent creativity from flourishing. I hope you'll enjoy reading my article and that it inspires you to consider the role of your networks and collaborations in your creative endeavours.