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I think working from a complexity framework is necessary in a world of rapid changes and uncertainties. Dave Snowden's Cynefin model can give us a useful lens for understanding and practicing  social artistry.  "The major difference between systems thinking and complexity thinking is that the former focuses on defining an ideal future state and seeks to close the gap, whereas complexity seeks to manage the evolutionary potential of the present.  Systems approaches range from three year plans, through idealised process designs to agreeing common values.  These approaches have dominated management in industry and government for the last three decades and draw heavily on engineering metaphors of the organisation.  Complexity theory offers an evolutionary alternative".

This idea of wayfinding and making spaces user-friendly seems like a social artist kind of skill, although applied differently than in finding your way around a city. I wonder how we might be able to borrow some of these concepts though to help people navigate new environments?

In the referred blog, Esko writes: "...communities seldom grow beyond the group that initiated the conversation, because they fail to attract enough participants. Many business communities also fall apart soon after their launch because they don't have energy to sustain themselves...". Are there any known mechanisms or techniques that help in sustaining community energy?

Man Chiseling his own destiny, sculpture by Albin Polasek

Saw this today and thought about how the social artist is also in the midst of his/her own journey of discovery at the same time s//he is designing and facilitating social artistry for others.