Generative Art via Grammatical Evolution

Abstract

Generative art produces artistic output via algorithmic design. Common examples include flow fields, particle motion, and mathematical formula visualization. Typically an art piece is generated with the artist/programmer acting as a domain expert to create the final output. A large amount of effort is often spent manipulating and/or refining parameters or algorithms and observing the resulting changes in produced images. Small changes to parameters of the various techniques can substantially alter the final product. We present GenerativeGI, a proof of concept evolutionary framework for creating generative art based on an input suite of artistic techniques and desired aesthetic preferences for outputs. GenerativeGI encodes artistic techniques in a grammar, thereby enabling multiple techniques to be combined and optimized via a many-objective evolutionary algorithm. Specific combinations of evolutionary objectives can help refine outputs reflecting the aesthetic preferences of the designer. Experimental results indicate that GenerativeGI can successfully produce more visually complex outputs than those found by random search.