Spatial proximity in artists’ social networks: The Shanghai art world, 1912–1948

This paper presents a comprehensive digital mapping of artists’ residential locations and social networks in Republican Shanghai, aiming to enhance our understanding of the role of spatial proximity in the development and expansion of artists’ networks, and, based on this, to reconceptualize the ‘art world.’ Our findings suggest that spatial proximity does not influence the development or maintenance of artists’ networks, which instead form a city-wide network of pipelines. However, the clustering of key nodes in primary art clusters indicates that spatial proximity is a necessary but insufficient condition for artists to expand their networks and establish themselves as leading figures. The paper further explores the dynamics of these primary art clusters, revealing mechanisms such as spatial-network synergies, the formation of intimate master-pupil relationships through co-residence, and group imaging and place branding centered around prominent artists.