Magic Squares and Aesthetic Events

Abstract

We consider an approach to generative art which exploits the structure of magic squares as a generative engine. Magic squares are used for image generation by mapping their properties into visual schemes. Our underlying hypothesis is that order in some form can serve as a prerequisite for a particular set of aesthetic events. By resorting to a mathematical structure that is not formulated as a function, but for which an inherent order is present, we reduce the most difficult task in generative art, the design of a generative system, to the much easier task of designing representational schemes for the visualization of number patterns. A set of schemes to achieve this task has been realized within a joint project between programmers and artists. The results of this project are discussed and illustrated.