Line spacing in Mondrian paintings and computer-generated modifications.
Students compared computer-generated pictures of which 1 had line spacing and orientation proportional to that in a Mondrian picture (Mondrian-like), and 9 had divergent line spacing (divergently spaced). Preference was above average for the Mondrian-like picture compared with that for the divergently spaced pictures. However, participants did not prefer the Mondrian-like picture to divergently spaced pictures that were preselected as aesthetically pleasing by other participants. The results of the present experiments suggest that a computer algorithm can be developed to modify a picture in a way that is comparable with the way in which humans modify a picture to obtain a preferred picture. If aesthetic appeal is used in the storage and retrieval of visual information, then the algorithm could provide a better understanding of human perceptual processes. The results are related to consistency of aesthetic judgments across participants, levels of processing, and apparent contrast effects.
Wolach
Allen H
AH
Institute of Psychology, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL 60616-3793, USA. wolach@iit.edu
McHale
Maureen A
MA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003201:Computers; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010151:Paintings; D013028:Space Perception; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014796:Visual Perception