Algorithmic Aesthetics:
Computer Models for Criticism and Design in the Arts

by

George Stiny and James Gips

Originally published by University of California Press, 1978.

The copyright was returned to the authors when the book went out of print,
so we are putting the book up on the web for free.

Table of Contents ("main")

Download the entire book for free as a pdf.

(Note: The pdf file is 30 MB. If you have a difficult time downloading it, email me at gips@bc.edu and we will send the pdf file to you through yousendit.com.
Or, you can view the book page by page below. -- JG, July 2009)

New: Prof. Junho Oh, of Soongsil University, very kindly has translated the book into Korean. Download the Korean translation as a pdf.

(Yes, the irony of having the ugliest website on the internet for a book on aesthetics is not lost on me. -- JG)

One author's viewpoint (2003)
New: 2010 Preface (pdf)

New: Photo of Authors in 1970

Cover (Much to our surprise, U.C. Press put computer tapes on the cover! -- JG)
Front Flap
Back Flap

Front matter

Part I: Introduction	1
Chapter 1. Introduction	3
Chapter 2. The Structure of Criticism Algorithms and Design Algorithms	8

Part II: Receptors	17
Chapter 3. Receptors	19

Part III: Aesthetic Systems	33
Chapter 4. The Structure of Aesthetic Systems	35
Chapter 5. Interpretation	38
Chapter 6. Interpretation: Constructive and Evocative Modes of Understanding	42
Chapter 7. Interpretation: Expression, Representation, Transparency, and Form	62
Chapter 8. Evaluation	100
Chapter 9. An Aesthetic System for Non-Representational Geometric Pictures	123
Chapter 10. Some Other Possible Aesthetic Systems	154
Chapter 11. Combining Aesthetic Systems	175

Part IV: Analysis and Synthesis Algorithms	181
Chapter 12. Analysis and Synthesis Algorithms	183
Chapter 13. What is a Work of Art?	190

Part V: Effectors	199
Chapter 14. Effectors	201

Appendix: Introduction to Algorithms	205

References	211

Subject Index	217

Author Index	219