Artificial intelligence calculates Van Gogh's formula for success
Scientists from Northwestern University in the United States using an artificial intelligence system analyzed several hundred thousand paintings and other artwork. The research helped them come up with a universal formula for success that applies to all areas of creativity, according to Nature Communications.
Back in 2018, the authors introduced the concept of “hot streak” – the most productive period of the artist's work. Subsequently, they established that such “stripes” do not arise by themselves, they are preceded by a certain sequence of events.
So, examining the creative biography of Van Gogh, scientists have determined that his “hot streak” fell on the years 1888-1890. During this time, he created the most famous paintings, including “Starry Night” and “Sunflowers”.
Experts noticed that the works of this period are markedly different from those that Van Gogh created earlier. If in his early work he used mainly dark shades, then he switched to bright colors.
The same patterns were found in other artists, for example, Jackson Pollock – the first works differed from those that later brought him worldwide fame. In fact, in the early years, artists experimented, creating paintings in different genres and styles, until they found their own “handwriting”.
Scientists analyzed 800 thousand paintings by 2128 artists, 79 thousand films by 4337 directors and publications of 20 040 scientists. The results showed that in the beginning, creative people went through a “learning” stage where they explored different styles over the course of several years. Then came the stage of “exploitation”, when they focused on a certain narrow area. And then came a hot streak – a short (usually no more than five years), but extremely fruitful period. After that, artists and other creative people in most cases moved on to a period of stability, which was not marked by radically new ideas and creative pursuits.
“Neither exploration nor exploitation alone will lead to a hot streak. We need their consistency, ”the authors emphasized.
Earlier, scientists have revealed the secret of Beethoven's “mad” metronome. It turned out that the composer had misinterpreted his testimony.
