Course details
Computer Art
VIN Acad. year 2012/2013 Summer semester 5 credits
Introduction into computer art, computer-aided creativity in the context of generalized aesthetics, a brief history of the computer art, aesthetically productive functions (periodic functions, cyclic functions, spiral curves, superformula), creative algorithms with random parameters (generators of pseudo-random numbers with different distributions, generator combinations), context-free graphics and creative automata, geometric substitutions (iterated transformations, graftals), aesthetically productive proportions (golden section in mathematics and arts), fractal graphics (dynamics of a complex plane, 3D projections of quaternions, Lindenmayer rewriting grammars, space-filling curves, iterated affine transformation systems, terrain modeling etc.), chaotic attractors (differential equations), mathematical knots (topology, graphs, spatial transformations), periodic tiling (symmetry groups, friezes, rosettes, interlocking ornaments), non-periodic tiling (hierarchical, spiral, aperiodic mosaics), exact aesthetics (beauty in numbers, mathematical appraisal of proportions, composition and aesthetic information).
Guarantor
Language of instruction
Completion
Time span
- 26 hrs lectures
- 26 hrs projects
Department
Subject specific learning outcomes and competences
Students will get acquainted with the principles of mathematics and computer science in the artistic fields, get acquainted with examples of the applied computer art, its history, current tendencies and future development, students will also learn practical skills from the field of computer art and finally, they will realize practically artistic creations with the aid of computer.
Learning objectives
To get acquainted with the principles of mathematics and computer science in the artistic fields, to get acquainted with examples of the applied computer art, its history, current tendencies and future development, to learn practical skills from the field of computer art and realize practically artistic creations with the aid of computer.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Artistic sense, basic mathematical knowledge, basic knowledge of computer graphics principles.
Study literature
- Adams, C. C.: The Knot Book. Freeman, New York, 1994.
- Barnsley, M.: Fractals Everywhere. Academic Press, Inc., 1988.
- Bentley, P. J.: Evolutionary Design by Computers.Morgan Kaufmann, 1999.
- Deussen, O., Lintermann, B.: Digital Design of Nature: Computer Generated Plants and Organics.X.media.publishing, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 2005.
- Glasner, A. S.: Frieze Groups. In: IEEE Computer Graphics & Applications, pp. 78-83, 1996.
- Grünbaum, B., Shephard, G. C.: Tilings and Patterns. W. H. Freeman, San Francisco, 1987.
- Livingstone, C.: Knot Theory. The Mathematical Association of America, Washington D.C., 1993.
- Lord, E. A., Wilson, C. B.: The Mathematical Description of Shape and Form. John Wiley & Sons, 1984.
- Mandelbrot, B.: The Fractal Geometry of Nature. W. H. Freeman, New York - San Francisco, 1982.
- Moon, F.: Chaotic and Fractal Dynamics. Springer-Verlag, New York, 1990.
- Ngo, D. C. L et al. Aesthetic Measure for Assessing Graphic Screens. In: Journal of Information Science and Engineering, No. 16, 2000.
- Peitgen, H. O., Richter, P. H.: The Beauty of Fractals. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1986.
- Pickover, C. A.: Computers, Pattern, Chaos and Beauty. St. Martin's Press, New York, 1991.
- Prusinkiewicz, P., Lindenmayer, A.: The Algorithmic Beauty of Plants. Springer-Verlag, New York, 1990.
- Schattschneider, D.: Visions of Symmetry (Notebooks, Periodic Drawings, and Related Work of M. C. Escher). W. H. Freeman & Co., New York, 1990.
- Sequin, C. H.: Procedural Generation of Geometric Objects. University of California Press, Berkeley, CA, 1999.
- Spalter, A. M.: The Computer in the Visual Arts. Addison Weslley Professional, 1999.
- Stiny, G., Gips, J.: Algorithmic Aesthetics; Computer Models for Criticism and Design in the Arts. University of California Press, 1978.
- Todd, S., Latham, W.: Evolutionary Art and Computers.Academic Press Inc., 1992.
- Turnet, J. C., van der Griend, P. (eds.): History and Science of Knots. World Scientific, London, 1995.
Fundamental literature
- Bruter, C. P.: Mathematics and Art. Springer Verlag, 2002.
- Caplan, C. S. The Bridges Archive. The Bridges Organization, 2013.
- Emmer, M., ed.: Mathematics and Culture II: Visual Perfection. Mathematics and Creativity. Springer Verlag, 2005.
- Emmer, M., ed.: The Visual Mind II. The MIT Press, 2005.
- Friedman, N., Akleman, E.: HYPERSEEING. The International Society of the Arts, Mathematics, and Architecture (ISAMA), 2012.
- Kapraff, J.: Connections: The Geometric Bridge Between Art and Science. World Scientific Publishing Company; 2nd edition, 2002.
- Manovich, L.: Software Takes Command. Bloomsbury Academic, 2013.
- McCormack, J., et al.: Ten Questions Concerning Generative Computer Art. Leonardo: Journal of Arts, Sciences and Technology, 2012.
- Peterson, I.: Fragments of Infinity: A Kaleidoscope of Math and Art. John Wiley & Sons, 2001.
- Radovic, L.: VisMath. Mathematical Institute SASA, Belgrade, 2014.
Syllabus of lectures
1. Towards mathematical art: Overview of art in 20th and 21st centuries
2. Generalized aesthetics: Visual forms of mathematical art
3. History of computer art: From analog oscillograms to virtual reality
4. Aesthetic functions I: From sinus and cosinus to the superformula
5. Aesthetic functions II: Generated graphics and the rhythm of algorithms
6. Aesthetic proportions: Golden section in mathematics, art and design
7. Graftals: Branching systems and models of growth in nature
8. Fractals I: Iterated functions systems and space-filling curves
9. Fractals II: From complex fractals into higher dimensions and chaos
10. Mathematical knots: From Celtic motives to algorithmic sculptures
11. Ornaments and tiling I: Symmetry, periodic tiling and interlocking ornaments
12. Ornaments and tiling II: Hierarchic, aperiodic and hyperbolic tiling
13. Exact aesthetics: Mathematical appraisal of shape, color and composition
Progress assessment
Study evaluation is based on marks obtained for specified items. Minimimum number of marks to pass is 50.
Controlled instruction
The monitored teaching activities include lectures, individual creative workshop projects, and the final exam in a form of a creative graphics application. The final exam has two possible correction terms.
Course inclusion in study plans