REFRESH 2025
REFRESH, running from October 2—5, 2025, deals with the intersection of Arts, Design & Technology. Under the theme «Futures of Uncertainties», the sixth edition of the festival – featuring keynotes, exhibitions, masterclasses, screenings and performances – will bring together designers, artists, and researchers from Switzerland and abroad to explore possible futures for design and the arts. REFRESH is primarily devoted to the topics «Algorithmic Entanglements», «Liminal Bodies», «Worldbuilding», «Immersive Journalism», and «Technobiological Futures / New Ecologies». The line-up underlines the important role of creative practitioners in our challenging socio-political time.
REFRESH is a collaboration between the Department of Design and the Immersive Arts Space of the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK).
TEAM
Head of REFRESH
Prof. Dr. Chris Salter
Maike Thies
Curation
Maike Thies
Identity / Motion Design
Abhash Mittal
Scenography
Stephan Wespi
Technical Manager
Stefan Kraft
Hospitality Management
Leonie Blasi
Katrin Siegel
Support Event Management
Andalus Liniger
Katrin Siegel
Communication & Public Relations
Maike Thies
Anna Tschopp
PARTNERS
REFRESH is supported by the following partners:
artists-in-labs program
Center for Responsible AI (DIZH)
FREITAG
HAU Hebbel am Ufer
International Festival for Animated Film Fantoche
Swissnex in Boston & New York
Swissnex in San Francisco
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Prof. Dr. Chris Salter
Corina Zuberbühler
Prof. Marijke Hogenboom
Prof. Hansuli Matter
Prof. Dr. Anna Lisa Martin-Niedecken
Ivana Kvesić
