Staš Vrenko: Cascades
light installation
Valvasor Park, Ljubljana // until 20 June
OPENING: Tuesday, 26 May 2026, at 9:30 p.m.

The artwork titled Cascades is based on research into the workings of decentralised systems under limited energy conditions. The responsive installation constantly walks the tightrope between the efficiency and redundancy, between complexity and entropy — to maintain the conditions necessary for its continued existence. The solar-powered system consists of several independent units with biomimetic spiking analogue neurons that detect light and sound stimuli from the environment and respond to them with feedback signals. Over time, their interweaving creates dynamic light patterns that spread and adapt to one another. With prolonged or more intense stimulation, the system can enter a state of either saturation or disintegration. Cascades function similarly to chaotic biological or atmospheric systems, in which changes in the interactions between elements can lead to the restructuring or disintegration of the whole, regardless of the seeming sufficiency of resources. Non-linear functioning in unpredictable feedback loop cycles brings the installation closer to realistic, dissipative configurations of the world, where meaning is not a prerequisite, but rather a by-product of duration. /S. Vrenko/

STAŠ VRENKO is an artist, musician and designer of electronic instruments. He obtained his MA from the Department of Sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design, University of Ljubljana. He is a recipient of Prešeren Student Award. His artistic practice is based on a media-archaeological approach to electronic media and technologies, with an emphasis on exploring mechanical sonority, kinetics and performativity. In recent years, he has presented several solo intermedia projects; among others, he has exhibited at BIO – the Biennal of Design Ljubljana, PIXXELPOINT – International Festival of Contemporary Art Practices, MFRU – International Festival of Computer Arts, KIBLIX Festival of Arts and Technology, etc.

The project is co-founded by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia.