Course details

Computer Art

VIN Acad. year 2006/2007 Summer semester 5 credits

Current academic year

Introduction in "Computer Art", brief history of "Computer Art" in the World and in the Czech Republic, aesthetically productive periodical functions (trigonometrical functions, cycloides, etc.), chaotic attractors (differential equations), geometrical substitutions (iterations of transformations), artistic algorithms with random parameters (generators of pseudo-random numbers with different distributions, combinations of generators), fractal graphics (dynamics in complex variable, 3D slices of quaternions, Lindenmayer rewriting grammars, systems of affine equations, etc.), mosaics periodical, non-periodical (groups of symmetry, graphs, grammars), decorative nodes (topology and graphs), artistic processing of raster image (monadic and dyadic operations, convolution filters, morphing, warping, etc.), special drawing and other functions (NPR algorithms), exact aesthetics (numerical aesthetics by Birkhoff, Bense, etc.), future of "Computer Art".

Guarantor

Zemčík Pavel, prof. Dr. Ing., dr. h. c. (DCGM)

Language of instruction

Czech

Completion

Examination

Time span

  • 26 hrs lectures
  • 26 hrs projects

Department

Department of Computer Graphics and Multimedia (UPGM)

Subject specific learning outcomes and competences

The students will get acquainted with the principles of informatics and with the examples, they will learn some practical skills from the field of artistic informatics, they will also get acquainted with the history and future of "Computer Art", finally, they will practically realize some artistic creations.

Learning objectives

To get acquainted with the principles of informatics, get also acquainted with the examples, to learn practical skills from the field of artistic informatics, get acquainted with the history and future of "Computer Art", practically realize some artistic creations.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Basic knowledge of manipulation with computer and 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. Introduction in "Computer Art". motivation
  2. History of Computer Art
  3. Aesthetically productive algorithms
  4. Periodical functions
  5. Chaotic attractors
  6. Fractal graphics I
  7. Fractal graphics II
  8. Mozaics
  9. Decorative nodes
  10. Artistic processing of raster image I
  11. Artistic processing of raster image II
  12. NPR systems
  13. Future of Computer Art

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 test, individual project, and final exam. The test does not have correction option while the final exam has two possible correction terms.

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