4 A Case Analysis – Invariants for Pictures.pdf

Towards Mathematical Aesthetics∗ Martin B´alek and Jaroslav Neˇsetˇril † Abstract We discuss a possibility of visual data global analysis with respect to the aesthetic (harmonious) criteria. We explain our approach that is mathematical based and expressed by the Hereditary Entropy Thesis. We give some computational evidence which outlines aims and indicates meaning of this project. Contents 1 The Main Problem 2 Why Art? 3 Macro vs. Micro – a Duality 4 A Case Analysis – Invariants for Pictures 5 Measuring 6 Main Thesis 7 Examples ∗Enlarged version of a lecture given by the second author at the International Conference “Mathematica e Cultura”, Venezia 2004 †Department of Applied Mathematics and Institute of Theoretical Computer Sci- ences (ITI), Charles University, Malostransk´e n´am. 25, 11800 Praha, Czech Republic, {balek,nesetril}at kam.mff.cuni.cz. Supported by the Grant LN00A56 of the Czech Min- istry of Education 1 If there is not possible to change this world which does not deserve love, then what is left to us? Not to allow to be cheated. To see and to know. To know how to see. M. Kundera 1 The Main Problem The contemporary art and technology produce a vast amount of visual data. We believe that the management, identification and sorting of these data is one of the main problems today. Several areas of contemporary science address these issues on both theoretical and practical level. These areas include e.g. fields as diverse as chemistry