Research on the Perception of Calligraphy Time Sequence Based on Markov Chain

Abstract

Sequential restoration relates to the psychological phenomenon that one can imaginatively reconstruct the writing process by observing the stroke traces on a piece of calligraphy. While traditional theory emphasizes this phenomenon as a unique aesthetic feature of calligraphy, and neuroaesthetics studies its biological basis, this paper introduces the idea of quantifying it. In order to quantify sequential restoration, and to explore the factors that affect it, a sequentiality quantization method based on Markov chain is proposed. First, beholders' perception of the sequential order of predefined marker points on the calligraphy work is modeled as a Markov chain. Then, the entropy rate of the Markov model is calculated to measure its uncertainty. Finally, the metric sequentialiy is defined as the normalized negative entropy rate. The feasibility of this method is verified through the actual measurement of the character "Zou". The effect of graphic transforms on the sequentiality of single brush stroke was studied, and the result shows that graphic transforms, including mirror and rotation, significantly affect sequentiality. The experiment also shows that the textural details of a brush stroke are not the primary factor in forming the sequential restoration experience, but the viewer's own experience of stroke order is more important.