Publication

Let the Paintings Play

2026

Abstract

In this paper we introduce a mathematical method to extract similarities between paintings and music tracks. Our approach is based on the digitalization of both paintings and music tracks by means of finite expansions in terms of orthogonal basis functions (with both Fourier and wavelet bases). The best fit between a specific painting and a sample of music tracks from a given composer is achieved via an L2 projection upon a finite dimensional subspace. Several examples are provided for the analysis of a collection of works of art by the Italian artist Marcello Morandini. Finally we have developed an original applet that implements the process above and which can be freely downloaded from the site https://github.com/pgerva/playing-paintings.git.

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/0aca9ff9-caa1-45ad-8eed-b827b39b04a4

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2026

Abstract

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/0aca9ff9-caa1-45ad-8eed-b827b39b04a4

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Related concepts (32)

Painting

Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a solid surface (called the "matrix" or "support"). The medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush, but other implements, such as knives, sponges, and airbrushes, can be used. In art, the term "painting" describes both the act and the result of the action (the final work is called "a painting").

Chinese painting

Chinese painting () is one of the oldest continuous artistic traditions in the world. Painting in the traditional style is known today in Chinese as guó huà (), meaning "national painting" or "native painting", as opposed to Western styles of art which became popular in China in the 20th century. It is also called danqing (). Traditional painting involves essentially the same techniques as calligraphy and is done with a brush dipped in black ink or coloured pigments; oils are not used.

Action painting

Action painting, sometimes called "gestural abstraction", is a style of painting in which paint is spontaneously dribbled, splashed or smeared onto the canvas, rather than being carefully applied. The resulting work often emphasizes the physical act of painting itself as an essential aspect of the finished work or concern of its artist. The style was widespread from the 1940s until the early 1960s, and is closely associated with abstract expressionism (some critics have used the terms "action painting" and "abstract expressionism" interchangeably).

Related publications (2)

Let the Paintings Play

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