Computing & the Arts

1. Computational theories of Visual Perception

Lecture 1 (Oct. 5): David Marr's model

Lecture 2 (Oct. 6): Gestalt Principles

Seminar 1 (Oct. 13): Part-Based Representations of Visual Shape

• For the seminar of Oct. 13:
• Sing, M., & Hoffman, D., "Part-Based Representations of Visual Shape and implications for visual cognition,"  Chapter 9 in From Fragments to Objects: Grouping and Segmentation in Vision, T. F. Shipley & P. J. Kellman (Eds.), pp. 401-459. Elsevier Science. 2001.
• Local copy

• Review of Gestalt theory:
• Wertheimer, M., "Laws of Organization in Perceptual Forms," 1923.
  in A Source Book of Gestalt Psychology, W. D. Ellis (ed), pp. 71-88, Harcourt Brace, 1938.
• Local copy
• Behrens, R., Art, "Design and Gestalt Theory," Leonardo, 1998.
  
• Local copy

• David Marr's contributions:
  
• Edelman, S. & Vaina, L., "David Marr: a short biography," in the International Encyclopaedia of Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2001
• Local copy

• Short essay on Gestalt theory and visual understanding: pick a theme related to the lectures' content and/or the readings' lists.
  
• Between 5 and 10 pages, 10pt font, single-spaced, with bibliography.
• Due date: by Lecture 5 on Oct. 26.
• Recommended text processor (based on TeX/LaTeX): LyX: free @ www.lyx.org
  

2. Computer Graphics and Drawing

3 (Oct. 12): Photorealism in Graphics
 

4 (Oct. 19): Non-photorealism in Graphics

• non-photorealistic rendering
• complexity and roughness (e.g., fractals)
• animation models
  

• For the seminar of Oct. 20:
• Durand, F., " The Art and Science of Depiction ," Unpublished manuscript, 2000.
• Local copy
• Willats, J. & Durand, F., "Defining Pictorial Style: Lessons from Linguistics and Computer Graphics," submitted to Axiomathes, 2004+
• Local copy
  

• Pick 6 topics from the above readings (for the seminar of Oct. 20) and write a short paragraph (summary highlighting strong points) on each.
• Due date: Beginning of Lecture 5, Oct. 19.
  

3. Image Processing and Shape Modeling

5 (Oct. 26): Image Processing Techniques 

Exhibition @ Hayward Gallery "Complexity of Perception" @ Café Scientifique Giuseppe, Changing heads, From a series of changing heads, Copperplate engraving, Italy c.1700. Werner Nekes Collection

• With Peg Rawes, Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL, London. Nov. 24, 16h30, Goldsmiths College, Warmington Tower, 12th floor.

• Students presents their essay topic.
  

• For the above lectures:

• http://www.reindeergraphics.com/tutorial/index.shtml

• Also read readings indicated on pages of each lecture.
  

• Prepare for your last seminar/essay of the semester:
• Pick a topic from the lectures and readings.
• Prepare your short presentation (15 minutes).
• Write an essay (20 to 30 pages, inclusive of bibliography and figures) on the same topic following the seminar (and after getting feedback).

• In preparation of the seminar of Nov. 10, pick a topic from the content of lecture 5, the readings above and your own research. Get back to me with your choice.
  
• Prepare a 10 minutes presentation (keep it concise); try to highlight the relationship between image processing (e.g., what you might do with gimp, and visual perception).

4. Visualization

• Introduction
  

5. Painting and the visual tension field

6. 3D form, Sculpting and beyond

Assessment

Further Readings / Links

• 5th Creativity and Cognition Conference: April 12-15, 2004 @ Goldsmiths College, London.
• http://research.it.uts.edu.au/creative/CandC5/
• Transmediale: Feb. 4-8, 2005 @ Berlin
• http://www.transmediale.de/splash/index_en.php
  

• Graham, P., "Hackers and Painters," May 2003.
  
• Langrish, J. Z., "Darwinian Design: The Memetic Evolution of Design Ideas," in Design Issues, 20(4):4-19, MIT Press, Autumn 2004. Local copy.
• Wright, R., "Software Art After Programming," Metamute, M28, July 2004.  Local copy.
  

• Help for students @ Goldsmiths: < creative@gold.ac.uk > c/o David Charlesworth, Student Activities and Finance President.
  

• Computer Arts Society (CAS) : promotes the creative uses of computers in the arts and culture generally. Is a Specialist Group of the British Computer Society (BCS) 
• http://www.computer-arts-society.org/
  

• Computers and the History of Art Society (CHArt): open to all who have interests in the application of computers to the study of art and design.
• http://www.chart.ac.uk/
  

• Hexagram: Institute for Research/Creation in Media Arts and Technologies, Canada
  
• http://hexagram.org/
  

• CACHe : investigates the early days of the computer arts in the UK from their origins in the 1960s to the 1980s.
• http://www.bbk.ac.uk/hafvm/cache/