An Application of Generative Aesthetics to German Late Gothic Rib Vaulting

In an analysis of an architectural work, using information theory, style characteristics are generally formulated on the basis of statistical distribution functions for the elements of an artwork. In generative aesthetics, on the other hand, procedural rules for the production of an artwork are the main determining factor. These procedural rules can also be formulated, on the basis of statistical distribution functions, to specify how a particular artwork should be put together from certain elements. One can also start from the rules of syntax for the joining of macro-elements and translate the relationships into a computer program. By the insertion of chosen parameters, one can have different views of a series of computer generated artworks drawn by a plotter. The author and Klaus Hänisch have used the last method to analyze the complicated rib systems of German Late Gothic vaulting.