Graph-Based Evolution of Visual Languages

Abstract. We present a novel evolutionary engine for the evolution of context free grammars. The system relies on specially designed graph-based crossover and mutation operators. While in most evolutionary art systems each individual corresponds to a single artwork, in our approach each individual is a context free grammar that specifies a family of shapes following the same production rules. To assess the adequacy and com-pleteness of the system we perform experiments using automated fitness assignment and user-guided evolution. The experimental results show that the system is able to create diverse and interesting families of shapes even when the initial population is composed of minimal grammars.