Information Technology Reference
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Chapter 10
Computational Aesthetic Evaluation:
Past and Future
Philip Galanter
Abstract Human creativity typically includes a self-critical aspect that guides inno-
vation towards a productive end. This chapter offers a brief history of, and outlook
for, computational aesthetic evaluation by digital systems as a contribution towards
potential machine creativity. First, computational aesthetic evaluation is defined and
the difficult nature of the problem is outlined. Next, a brief history of computational
aesthetic evaluation is offered, including the use of formulaic and geometric theo-
ries; design principles; evolutionary systems including extensions such as coevolu-
tion, niche construction, agent swarm behaviour and curiosity; artificial neural net-
works and connectionist models; and complexity models. Following this historical
review, a number of possible contributions towards future computational aesthetic
evaluation methods are noted. Included are insights from evolutionary psychology;
models of human aesthetics from psychologists such as Arnheim, Berlyne, and Mar-
tindale; a quick look at empirical studies of human aesthetics; the nascent field of
neuroaesthetics; new connectionist computing models such as hierarchical temporal
memory; and computer architectures for evolvable hardware. Finally, it is suggested
that the effective complexity paradigm is more useful than information or algorith-
mic complexity when thinking about aesthetics.
10.1 Introduction
This chapter looks at computers and aesthetic evaluation. In common usage the
word creativity is associated with bringing the new and innovative into being. The
term, whether used in reference to the arts or more generally, connotes a sort of self-
directedness and internal drive. Evaluation or criticism is by its very nature reactive.
Something is first created and only then can it be evaluated. Evaluation and creativity
at first seem to be two different kinds of activity performed at different times.
But almost any exploration of creativity will quickly reveal evaluation threaded
throughout the entire process. For accomplished artists there are usually at least
 
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