Structure of Small, Highly Connected Networks - the Case of Aerowaves, a Social Art Network in Europe

Abstract

We examine the structure and the evolution of an artistic social network and identify normative patterns seen in other social or ecological networks. Specifically, we analyze the “Aerowaves” network, a bipartite, directed and dynamic web of connections among European States that depicts the international mobility of modern dance artists. We find that it is characterized by a degree distribution that is linear and a clustering coefficient that is modestly larger than in random networks. Such network measures have been previously reported for networks with small size and high complexity, measured as connectance (links per vertices2). That way, Aerowaves can be classified along with ecological food webs, although the concept of food chain is not explicitly relevant in the art network. Moreover, we present a model for the Aerowaves’ structure that has common features with the “niche model” designed to describe food-web networks, as evidence of a generalized network behavior. Finally, we examine the Aerowaves’ network robustness and outline implications on network management to enhance artistic exchange in Europe.

Keywords: contemporary dance network, complexity, social networks, food webs, connectance, niche model