​Join a masterclass led by artists AATB, where you will gain insights into their design processes, and see how robotics shifts from industrial automation to a creative partner in making, staging, and shaping experience.

​REFRESH 2026 is a 4-day festival featuring keynotes, masterclasses and an exhibition running until April 12, bringing 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.

​Discover all REFRESH Festival events:
REFRESH Luma Calendar - Register here for all Festival events
REFRESH Festival Overview - Read more about the artists and artwork

​Program

​11:30am // Doors Open

​12pm // Masterclass: You’re Absolutely Right!
Masterclass by Andrea Anner and Thibault Brevet, AATB Studio

​Andrea and Thibault will first introduce their work – AATB was founded around a strong interest in the diffusion of robotics and automation technologies outside of factory floors. The studio has been exploring and questioning the use of robotics as a creative tool for research and practice in the fields of art, design and architecture, developing along the way the necessary infrastructure and skills to build upon these highly specialized systems.

​The second part of the masterclass will take place by their new installation «void avoid (return nothing)», part of the exhibition, where they will share some insights into the research, development and production of the work, and highlight how new tools are enabling their production process.

​1:30pm // Doors Close

​Speakers

​Andrea Anner and Thibault Brevet, AATB Studio

​About REFRESH 2026

​REFRESH 2026 is a partnership between the Department of Design and the Immersive Arts Space of the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), and Swissnex in San Francisco.

​The festival is an initiative of the Department of Design and the Immersive Arts Space of the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), and is traveling to the US for the first time.

​This 7th edition of REFRESH focuses 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.

​Identity / Motion Design: Abhash Mittal. © ZHdK

​About Swissnex in San Francisco

​Swissnex in San Francisco is an initiative of the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). Our vision at Swissnex in San Francisco is to connect tomorrow by empowering the next generation of innovators to collaborate and create futures where the planet and society thrive.

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