ADELA | Synthtetist Meetup: μneuron
MENTORS: Staš Vrenko & Gregor Krpič
PARTICIPATION: Applications are open. The participation fee, which covers part of the material costs of the device, is 20€ and should be paid at the workshop. The device is yours to keep.
The meetup will explore the functioning of artificial neurons and neural networks through the lens of analogue computing, which has gained renewed relevance in the context of the analogue revolution in machine learning.
We will assemble the μneuron, which serves as an analogue neural network model and an interesting tool for processing audio, logical (gates, triggers, etc.) and control (CV) signals. The μneuron instrument consists of three analogue neurons and an interface allowing users to modify their connections (topologies) and manually tune their weights.
The mentors developed the instrument based on one of the pioneering electronic circuits in biological neuron modelling, the so-called Harmon Preliminary Neuron Model, which dates back to the 1960s. While the computing power of the three neurons cannot match the intricate workings of digital neural networks, such physical models can provide an in-depth understanding of how neural nets operate.
Staš Vrenko
Staš Vrenko is an artist, musician and electronic instrument designer. He has an MA (cum laude) in sculpture from the Ljubljana Academy of Fine Arts and Design for which he received the Prešeren award for students. His practice involves various fields of art with a strong focus on sound exploration, electronic media and technologies, kineticism and performativity. In the past few years, he has presented various solo projects: Record (Kino Šiška), Loops in Transmission (osmo/za), Adoption Techniques (P74) and Connective (MoTA). He has also been featured on group exhibitions at the international festival Agora Creative (Grenoble), SCCA Ljubljana, Lighting Guerrilla Festival, MFRU_25, Kiblix, Vžigalica Gallery and Škuc Gallery, among many others.
Gregor Krpič
Gregor Krpič explores sound through the development of his sensory electronic instruments. He has been actively involved in various contemporary investigative art projects for many years. He has been collaborating in developing and mentoring workshops within the Rampa project at the Kersnikova Institute since 2018.