Skip to main content
Article
Fractal Dimensions In Perceptual Color Space: A Comparison Study Using Jackson Pollock’S Art
Chaos Online
  • Jonas R. Mureika, Loyola Marymount University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2005
Disciplines
Abstract

The fractal dimensions of color-specific paint patterns in various Jackson Pollock paintings are calculated using a filtering process that models perceptual response to color differences (L*a*b* color space). The advantage of the L*a*b* space filtering method over traditional red-green-blue (RGB) spaces is that the former is a perceptually uniform (metric) space, leading to a more consistent definition of “perceptually different” colors. It is determined that the RGB filtering method underestimates the perceived fractal dimension of lighter-colored patterns but not of darker ones, if the same selection criteria is applied to each. Implications of the findings to Fechner’s “principle of the aesthetic middle” and Berlyne’s work on perception of complexity are discussed.

Publisher Statement

© 2005 American Institute of Physics

Citation Information
Mureika J. Fractal dimensions in perceptual color space: A comparison study using Jackson Pollock’s art. Chaos. 2005;15(4):043702.