Vlad Hrynko's Foundation Series Explores Still Life Through Digital and Physical Light Experiments

Vlad Hrynko, an artist with a computer science background, has developed his Foundation series, which was shortlisted for the 2025 Aesthetica Art Prize. The series merges physical installations using found materials like cardboard with projected light patterns, challenging traditional perceptions of still life. Hrynko's approach minimizes post-production, focusing instead on precision during creation, with lighting and scene arrangement done intuitively or through mathematically defined methods. The work questions how technology and mood influence perception, evolving from initial intuitive setups to using algorithms and 3D modeling software to translate digital designs into physical forms. The Aesthetica Art Prize Exhibition 2025 is currently on view at York Art Gallery until 25 January 2025, offering a £10,000 prize and exhibition opportunity for applicants. Hrynko's creative process, discussed in an interview, reveals his transition from street and architectural photography to building images with paper and light, driven by an obsession with patterns and structure from his tech background. The series continues as an ongoing investigation into light, structure, and form, pushing the boundaries of still life in a digital context.