REFRESH 2026 in San Francisco
REFRESH, running from March 4 to 7, 2026 at Swissnex in San Francisco explores the intersection of Arts, Design & Technology. The seventh edition of the festival – featuring keynotes, masterclasses and an exhibition – will bring together acclaimed designers, artists, and researchers from Switzerland and the US to envision possible futures and new fields of action for design and the arts. The festival will focus on «Algorithmic Entanglements», reflecting the impact of digital technologies on society and the planetary well-being. The line up highlights the crucial role of creative practitioners and thinkers engaging critically and responsibly with digital transformation.
an initiative of the Department of Design and the Immersive Arts Space of the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK)
presented by Swissnex in San Francisco
TEAM
Head of REFRESH
Prof. Dr. Chris Salter
Maike Thies
Curation
Maike Thies
Identity / Motion Design
Abhash Mittal
Exhibition Engineering
Johannes Reck
Technical Manager
Stefan Kraft
Hospitality Management
Leonie Blasi
Communication & Public Relations
Maike Thies
Anna Tschopp
PARTNERS
REFRESH is supported by the following partners:
Swissnex in San Francisco
Immersive Arts Space
Institute for Design Research ZHdK
International Affairs ZHdK
Swiss Centre for Responsible AI (DIZH)
FREITAG
SPECIAL THANKS TO
ZHdK
Prof. Marijke Hogenboom
Prof. Hansuli Matter
Corina Zuberbühler
Swissnex San Francisco
Emilia Pasquier
Andrea Cross
Lucas Hagin
Kent Long
Elodie Malonga
Diego Riva