Shape Grammars and the Generative Specification of Painting and Sculpture

A method of shape generation using shape grammars which take shape as primitive and have shape-specific rules is presented. A formalism for the complete, generative specification of a class of non-representational, geometric paintings or sculptures is defined which has shape grammars as its structural component. Paintings are material representations of two-dimensional shapes gen~rated by shape grammars, sculptures of three-dimensional shapes. Implications for aesthetics and design theory in the visual arts are discussed. Aesthetics is considered in terms of specificational simplicity and visual complexity. In design based on generative specifications, the artist chooses structural and material relationships and then determines algorithmically the resulting works of art. SHAPE GRAMMARS AND THE GENERATIVE SPECIFICATION OF PAINTING AND SCULPTURE In this paper we present (1) a definition of shape grammars, (2) a formalism, based on these grammars, for the complete, generative specification of a class of paintings or sculptures, and (3) a discussion of the implications of these specifications for aesthetics and design theory. Generative specifications can be used in the analysis and aesthetic evaluation of the paintings or sculptures they define. In design based on generative specifications, the artist chooses structural and material relationships and then produces algorithmically the res'ulting works of art, Our underlying aim is to use formal, generative techniques to produce good works of art and to develop understanding of what makes good works of art. The class of paintings shown in Figure 1 is used as an explanatory example. Additional paintings and sculptures defined by generative specifications are shown in the I ppendix.