An Investigation of Algorithmic Aesthetics

This paper describes an investigation of aesthetics in terms of algorithms. The main result of the work is the development of a formalism, an aesthetic system, for the algorithmic specification of aesthetic viewpoints. An aesthetic viewpoint is taken to consist of a collection of interpretative conventions and evaluative criteria for art. Interpretative conventions determine how an object can be understood as a work of art; evaluative criteria determine the judged quality of such an object when it is understood in this way. Viewpoints vary for different people, different cultures and different art forms. These systems allow for the specification of different viewpoints in terms of a uniformly structured system of algorithms. An example of an aesthetic system for nonfigurative, rectilinear pictures is given. This system is applied to six pictures shown in the paper. The computer implementation of the system is described briefly.