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The computer is proving to be a useful tool in exact art theory. Works of computer art are produced with the help of programs that describe the logic of the construction and its relevant measures. By varying the parameters you can vary the shapes of objects, and on the basis of the reaction of the public you can determine the best option. So it is possible to find valid rules to design works of art. This Demonstration on the golden ratio is a simple example; it should help to confirm or refute a previously often used but unverified rule for art.

A statistical evaluation would be interesting. Please email me with your results for the optimal proportion at franke@zi.biologie.uni-muenchen.de.

References:

H. Frank, "Grundlagenprobleme der Informationsästhetik und erste Anwendung auf die mime pure," Dissertation, Technische Hochschule Stuttgart, 1959.

W. Zerbe and L. Davidshofer, Satztechnik und Gestaltung: Schweizerisches Fach- und Lehrbuch für Schriftsetzer, Zürich: Bildungsverband Schweizerischer Buchdrucker, 1952.

J. F. Schopp, "Papierformate: Die DIN-Reihe," Universität Tampere (Finnland) 2002 (2. Version; 1. Vers.1998), New Edition: 4. 9. 2002 http://www.uta.fi/~trjusc/dinform.htm

H. Walser, Der Goldene Schnitt, Stuttgart–Leipzig: B. G. Teubner Verlagsgesellschaft and Zürich: Verlag der Fachvereine, 1993.