Arts & Creative Industries
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Arboreal Severance – Kieffer Woodtli -
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Glam Slam for the Planet hosted by Susanne Bartsch in collaboration with Choke Hole -
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Symposium: In Our Decline -
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Landscape in Transition – Habitat Research Center EPFL -
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Endless Wear: A New Take on Upcycling – Geneva University of Art and Design (HEAD – Genève) -
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Solar Sunflowers – Institut auf dem Rosenberg and Studio 697 THz
Why the Arts
Creative, Innovative, and Inclusive
At Swissnex in Boston and New York, the Arts and Creative industries are integral to everything we do. By merging artistic methods, innovation, and scientific research, we reflect on society, ignite dialogue, and build meaningful connections with the world around us.
We use creative practices to bring ideas to life and foster exchange through shared experiences. Our goal is to create an inclusive space that engages diverse audiences and expands our perspectives through active listening and collaboration.
Through art, we expand the ways we perceive our time and our place within broader ecologies. Artistic practice illuminates what often remains unseen and helps us imagine the unimaginable. Creative thinking opens new ways to grasp complexity and turn discourse into action. Together with our partners, Swissnex works to strengthen our collective capacity to engage with the pressing issues of our time.
Events & News
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When Art and Science Illuminate Each Other
October 29, 2025Artist Alan Bogana and scientist Marilyne Andersen explore how light can shape both matter and meaning, sharing insights from their collaboration at EPFL and the creation of the exhibition Lighten Up!, now on view at the MIT Museum.
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Lighten Up! Symposium
October 29, 2025Swissnex and the MIT Museum present an art-science symposium on light, rhythm, time, sleep, and perception.
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Lighten Up! Panel Discussion and Opening Reception
October 28, 2025Join us at the MIT Museum for the opening of Lighten Up!, an exhibition exploring light, rhythm, time, sleep, and perception.
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Contradiction as Method
October 20, 2025In this edition of the lecture series “Kein Kino,” presented by Swissnex and the Department of Design of Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), Matheus Leston explores an artistic practice of technology: off-screen contingencies, physicality and audiences.
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Beyond the Alps: Sweet Entanglements
October 7, 2025Swissnex and metaLAB (at) Basel present an experiential lecture-workshop on the metabolic, cultural, and technological entanglements of sugar, from Swiss chocolate to maple syrup, in the context of the metaLAB’s human-ecological health research focus.
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Printed Plants Masterclass
September 25, 2025Swissnex, REFRESH, and the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) present a masterclass on locally sourced, plant-based printing.
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Lens of Impact: Biodesign as Ecological Practice
September 24, 2025Swissnex, Parsons School of Art and Design History and Theory, Zurich University of the Arts, and the Biodesign Challenge present a discussion on the practice of design in a more-than-human world.
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Climate Storytelling Through the Moving Image
September 23, 2025Swissnex, Climate Film Festival, and Fondation 2291 present a film screening and conversation exploring the power of short films to inspire climate action.
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Urban Refuge
September 23, 2025 — September 25, 2025Swissnex and Institut auf dem Rosenberg present Urban Refuge, an installation exploring pressing issues in climate resilience and material-based design.
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Arboreal Severance
September 23, 2025 — September 25, 2025Swissnex and Swiss artist duo Kieffer Woodtli present Arboreal Severance, an immersive audio installation highlighting the fundamental wound of our time: the severance between human beings and Earth.
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Reimagining Urban Futures Through Detroit’s Landscape
September 5, 2025What is the future of the urban landscape? Join us for a conversation with experts from Switzerland, Detroit, and beyond.
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Workshop: Urban Landscape in Transition
September 4, 2025 — September 6, 2025Join us in Detroit for a three-day workshop on the changing nature of urban environments.
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ZHdK Student Works on Show at Climate Week NYC
July 28, 2025Two works by ZHdK graduates, winners of the Punch Prize, will be exhibited during Climate Week NYC in September.
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Food for Thought: Chef Regine Bigler, Léo Tardin, & Camila Agosto
June 25, 2025Join the Chelsea Music Festival for a sensory evening of jazz, art, and food supported by Swissnex. Enjoy Léo Tardin’s animated piano performance, Regine Bigler’s plant-based Swiss cuisine, a keynote by composer Camila Agosto, and a Läderach chocolate tasting—all inspired by nature and the colors of Geneva and New York.
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Design by Collaboration: Crafting Across Disciplines
May 16, 2025A conversation on design, craftsmanship, and collaborative creative work during NYCxDesign.
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Swiss Mixer @ PAX East 2025
May 7, 2025Join us for an exclusive evening at the Swiss Mixer @ PAX East, where creativity, ambition, and international opportunity converge!
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Lens of Impact: Artists in the Archive
April 10, 2025Join Swissnex and the Parsons School of Art and Design History and Theory for a discussion on artistic research and working with primary source material alongside personal narrative and socio-political issues.
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Tracing Elements
April 7, 2025In this edition of the lecture series “Kein Kino,” presented by Swissnex and the Department of Design of Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), Yasaman Sheri examines how nanoscale pollutants, synthetic molecules, and advances in sensor technology are reframing our relationship to our bodies and our environment.
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Beyond the Alps: Music in Shifting Spaces
April 3, 2025Join us for an augmented reality acoustic experience as Swiss musician and composer Jessie Cox presents a live performance of his piece Black/Blackness.
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Symposium: In Our Decline
March 22, 2025Swiss and US artists join a research symposium on aging, decay, and ruin across practices and contexts.
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Lens of Impact: Tailoring Freedom
March 19, 2025Join Swissnex and the Parsons School of Art and Design History and Theory for a cross-cultural dialogue on how fashion can offer new perspectives on identity, resistance, and memory.
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Swissnex Reconnect: Sounds of Nature
January 14, 2025Kick off the new year with Swissnex in New York as we explore the captivating world of biodiverse soundscapes.
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Reimagining Detroit: How Innovation and Resilience are Reshaping a City
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Lens of Impact: Queering Design
October 23, 2024Join Swissnex and the Parsons School of Art and Design History and Theory for a cross-cultural dialogue on queering design.
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Designing for Well-Being: Where Art, Technology, and Spaces Merge
October 14, 2024In this edition of the lecture series “Kein Kino,” presented by Swissnex and the Department of Design of Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), Annabelle Schneider introduces her work in experience design and well-being.
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Breathing Spaces: Designing for Well-Being
May 22, 2024Connect with Swissnex, LAUFEN and the Consulate General of Switzerland in New York for an exclusive discussion on spatial design for well-being at NYCxDESIGN.
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Climate Ring: Exhibits
September 25, 2024 — September 27, 2024Alongside the main event, the Climate Ring presents three exhibits of student artwork in collaboration with Swiss institutions.
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Climate Ring: Glam Slam for the Planet
September 27, 202412 rounds. 3 days. 1 fight for the planet.
In Round 12 of the boxing-themed Climate Ring, join us for a celebration hosted by Swiss-born nightlife impresaria Susanne Bartsch, featuring a climate-themed performance by Choke Hole. -
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Climate Ring: The Knockout Art Walk
September 27, 202412 rounds. 3 days. 1 fight for the planet. In Round 11 of the boxing-themed Climate Ring, join us on an art walk featuring guided tours of three climate art exhibitions.
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Climate Ring: Refashioning Fashion
September 25, 202412 rounds. 3 days. 1 fight for the planet.
In Round 2 of the boxing-themed Climate Ring, we explore how the fashion industry can reshape itself in response to a changing climate, from sustainable materials to upcycling. -
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A Swiss Space at New York’s Design Week
May 14, 2024As part of the NYCxDESIGN Festival, discover the immersive installation Breath With Me, conceived to positively impact body and mind while celebrating Swiss culture, craft, and design.
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Design Realities, Future Technologies: Chimeric Embodiments
May 13, 2024In this edition of the lecture series “Kein Kino,” presented by Swissnex and the Department of Design of Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), artist Ana Rajcevic introduces her work in hybrid human-embodiments.
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Kein Kino: Design Realities, Future Technologies
May 1, 2024The Zurich University of the Arts is partnering with Swissnex in Boston and New York on a series of online lectures at the intersection of design, arts, and technology.
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Lens of Impact: Human-Animal Relations
April 10, 2024Join Parsons' School of Art and Design History and Theory and Swissnex in New York for a cross-cultural exchange on the relationship between humans and animals.
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Lens of Impact: Perspectives on Art and Design
April 3, 2024A new event series presented by Parsons’ School of Art and Design History and Theory and Swissnex in New York invites Swiss and US-based speakers to engage in a cross-cultural exchange on art and design practices.
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New Report: The Expanding Scope of Design
December 6, 2023A survey of 17 design leaders carried out by Swissnex and design studio Other Tomorrows examines critical shifts in the design landscape, from the rise of generative AI to pervasive environmental and climate concerns.
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Creative Climate: Where Do We Go From Here?
November 13, 2023Join us for an immersive dinner experience examining the complex relationship between climate change, arts, and the creative sector.
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Broadway Bites: Other Tomorrows
August 17, 2023Join us for our monthly community lunch at 420 Broadway in Cambridge. This month: Other Tomorrows presents a report on critical shifts in today’s design landscape.
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Marc Streit Joins as Head of Arts and Creative Industries
August 8, 2023Based in New York, the founder of the “zürich moves!” festival will draw on his extensive experience as a cultural entrepreneur to lead Swissnex’s initiatives at the interface of art, science, and technology across the American Northeast.
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The Experimental Museum II
June 16, 2023Through a livestream from inside one of the world’s largest 360° immersive environments, discover how EPFL, MIT, and the University of Paris are collaborating to recreate a navigable landscape of the 1867 Paris World’s Fair.
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Arts as Medicine: Where Do We Go From Here?
June 1, 2023How can arts and culture help prevent and treat disease? Join Swissnex for a dialogue exploring the scientific evidence and policy around the use of arts in medicine.
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The Experimental Museum
April 13, 2023Join us for a 30-min livestream from the MIT Museum, showcasing three innovative approaches to museum practice, from Boston to Lausanne via Basel.
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Jenny Holzer Unofficial
June 10, 2022 — July 23, 2022Zurich-based artist Miriam Laura Leonardi presents her first New York solo show, titled An Exhibition With A View, at JENNY’S gallery in Chinatown. Leonardi examines the interplay between art, technology, and consumerist culture – especially as it pertains to the commodification and media-omnipresence of prominent artists. Discover this custom-made electronic installation.
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Metric Displacement: Installation
June 20, 2022 — June 26, 2022A sound installation at the New York City Electroacoustic Music Festival set in three time zones simultaneously, Metric Displacement is the work of Swiss sound artists and researchers Marcel Zaes and Annie Aries, and American Brian House.
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Built Environment: Where Do We Go From Here?
April 6, 2022How do we balance ecological, development, and equity needs as we construct new living spaces and workspaces for a growing planet? Join the first edition of a new Swissnex series addressing the biggest global challenges of our post-2020 world.
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LASER Boston: Climate Visions
April 28, 2022Presenting accurate data on climate change is proving inadequate to spur widespread, grassroots action. This edition of LASER Boston will explore how data – paired with powerful visuals and art – can provoke a more visceral reaction to the climate crisis than data alone.
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AIRTIME, Swiss Design TV: Launch Event
September 21, 2021Tune in on Instagram live for this special launch event and continue as a live broadcast on wanteddesign.online until October 30 featuring breaking news, general information, and entertainment about contemporary Swiss design.
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AIRTIME, Swiss Design TV
August 11, 2021Live from September 20 - October 30, 2021
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LASER Boston: The Crypto Canvas
March 25, 2021Join us for a virtual adventure, where we will explore the worlds of blockchain, crypto and art.
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LASER Boston: Level Up
May 27, 2021Through online gaming, VR, AR, and AI, we experience entirely new possibilities – and this is just the beginning. This edition of LASER Boston will explore the art of game design and how we can take advantage of it to shape our future.
Programs
Explore our ongoing event series connecting design researchers and practitioners in Switzerland and the US.
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Head of Arts and
Creative Industries
We connect Swiss-affiliated artists, designers, art schools, museums, and other institutions to creative ecosystems to Boston, New York, and the northeastern US. Contact us to collaborate.
