XEPA: Color And Pattern Algorithms For Intelligent Light Sculptures

References: [1] Galanter, P., Computational aesthetic evaluation: past and future, in Computers and creativity, J. McCormack and M. d'Inverno, Editors. 2012, Springer: Berlin. [2] http://philipgalanter.com Abstract: Over the years generative artists have created art using systems such as genetic algorithms, reaction diffusion systems, cellular automata, artificial life, deterministic chaos, fractals, and Lindenmayer systems. While these systems can offer a seemingly unending stream of visuals and sound, they typically do so without discrimination, and they lack any self-critical functionality. This is most apparent in genetic or evolutionary systems where the fitness function is frequently not automated, and is simply the artist making manual interactive choices. Computational aesthetic evaluation remains an unsolved problem. Only when computer-based systems are both generative and self-critical will they be worthy of consideration as being truly creative. XEPA is the name of both the art project and individual intelligent sculptures that display animated colored light and produce music and sound. XEPA is an acronym for “XEPA Emerging Performance Artist.” Each XEPA “watches” the others (via data radio) and modifies its own aesthetic behaviour to create a collaborative improvisational performance. In doing so each XEPA independently evaluates the aesthetics of the other sculptures, infers a theme or mood being attempted, and then modifies its own aesthetics to better reinforce that theme. Each performance is unique, and a wide variety of themes and moods can be explored. After a system overview, some of the algorithms used in XEPA for color scheme selection and pattern generation are presented. In particular attention is given to the creation of “painterly” color palettes, complex patterns, and emergent synchronization.