Generation of self-referential animated photomosaics

ABSTRACT

We describe the implementation of an art installation that generates animated photomosaics of the viewer. Photomosaics are target images composed of smaller images known as tiles. When a photomosaic is viewed from afar the detail of the tiles is lost and the target image is evident. Up close, the opposite occurs: the detail of the tiles is evident and the target image is lost. Our system uses a photo of the viewer as the target and miniatures of the viewer's face as tiles. Evolutionary search is used to find the best selection and arrangement of tiles. Each newly found best image is then used as the frame of a movie. The resulting animations start from a random arrangement of tiles and gradually the viewer's face emerges and is clearly visible, and then gradually de-materialises into a random pattern.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  J. Computer Applications
  J.5 ARTS AND HUMANITIES
      Subjects: Fine arts

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.1 Multimedia Information Systems
          Subjects: Animations

General Terms:
Algorithms, Design, Human Factors

Keywords:
evolutionary search, genetic algorithm