Course detail
Computer Art
FIT-VINAcad. year: 2022/2023
In this course we explore the places where art, mathematics and algorithms meet. The course consists of 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). The course is lectured by Tomáš Staudek.
Language of instruction
Number of ECTS credits
Mode of study
Guarantor
Learning outcomes of the course unit
- Students will acquire both theoretical and applied competence in software aesthetics.
- Students will be able to interpret and evaluate algorithmic works of art.
- Students will deepen creative skills by fulfilling practical graphic assignments.
Prerequisites
Co-requisites
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes
- 3 points: technical realization and aesthetic quality
- 1 point: exhibition in the course gallery
- 1 point: timely submission
- 15 points: concept originality
- 20 points: programming intensity
- 15 points: interface quality
Course curriculum
Work placements
Aims
Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences
Assignments are provided in the form of individually elaborated projects. The classified credit has two possible correction terms.
Recommended optional programme components
Prerequisites and corequisites
Basic literature
Recommended reading
Barnsley, M.: Fractals Everywhere. Academic Press, Inc., 1988.
Bentley, P. J.: Evolutionary Design by Computers.Morgan Kaufmann, 1999.
Bruter, C. P.: Mathematics and Art. Springer Verlag, 2002.
Deussen, O., Lintermann, B.: Digital Design of Nature: Computer Generated Plants and Organics.X.media.publishing, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 2005.
Friedman, N., Akleman, E.: HYPERSEEING. The International Society of the Arts, Mathematics, and Architecture (ISAMA), 2012.
Grünbaum, B., Shephard, G. C.: Tilings and Patterns. W. H. Freeman, San Francisco, 1987.
Kapraff, J.: Connections: The Geometric Bridge Between Art and Science. World Scientific Publishing Company; 2nd edition, 2002.
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.
McCormack, J., et al.: Ten Questions Concerning Generative Computer Art. Leonardo: Journal of Arts, Sciences and Technology, 2012.
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.
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.
Classification of course in study plans
- Programme IT-MSC-2 Master's
branch MBI , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch MBS , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch MGM , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch MIS , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch MMM , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch MPV , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
branch MSK , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective - Programme MITAI Master's
specialization NADE , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
specialization NBIO , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
specialization NCPS , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
specialization NEMB , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
specialization NGRI , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
specialization NHPC , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
specialization NIDE , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
specialization NISD , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
specialization NISY up to 2020/21 , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
specialization NMAL , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
specialization NMAT , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
specialization NNET , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
specialization NSEC , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
specialization NSEN , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
specialization NSPE , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
specialization NVER , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
specialization NVIZ , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
specialization NISY , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
specialization NEMB up to 2021/22 , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
Type of course unit
Lecture
Teacher / Lecturer
Syllabus
- Towards mathematical art: art in the 20th and 21st centuries.
- Software aesthetics: visual forms of computer art.
- History of computer art: from the oscilloscope to interactive media.
- Aesthetic functions: from sinus and cosinus to the superformula.
- Aesthetic transformations: repetition, parametrization and rhythm of algorithms.
- Aesthetic proportions: golden section in mathematics, art and design.
- Spirals and graftals: models of growth and branching in nature.
- Geometric fractals: iterated functions and space-filling curves.
- Algebraic fractals: from the complex plane to higher dimensions.
- Chaotic fractals: visual chaos of strange attractors.
- Symmetry and ornament: periodic tiling and interlocking mosaics.
- Nonperiodic and special ornament: spiral, hyperbolic and aperiodic mosaics.
- Mathematical knots: knots and braids from the Celts to modern topology.
Project
Teacher / Lecturer
Syllabus
Creative assignments follow the lecture topics and are realized in a form of non-supervised projects supported by freely available creative applications for each topic. Outputs will be exhibited in the students' gallery.
- Letterism and ASCII art
- Digital improvisation
- Computer-aided rollage
- Generated graphics
- Quantized functions
- Algorithmic op-art
- Evolutionary algorithms
- Chaotic attractors
- Context-free graphics
- Fractal flames
- Quaternion fractals
- Fractal landscape
- Escher's tiling
- Islamic ornament
- Circle limit mosaics
- Knotting
- Digital collage
- Graphic poster
- Artistic image stylization
- Generated sculpture