San Francisco

Sound Memories: A Global Dialogue on Preserving Memory Through Sound

Swissnex in San Francisco, together with Swissnex in China and the Museum für Gestaltung Zürich present "Sound Memories" a hybrid event exploring how technology can preserve and revive sound-related objects through audio visualization and design. This event is part of a global initiative.

Join us

This artist talk will shed light on new digital approaches to conservation, from reinterpreting historical sounds to creating contemporary ways of experiencing museum collections.

By bridging art, design, and technology, the discussion will highlight how digital approaches can enhance accessibility, engagement, and the cultural significance of sound memories worldwide.

In the US, artists Asma Kazmi and Jill Miller are reimagining the “Electronic Memory – Model 80-1” from the Museum für Gestaltung Zürich (MfGZ) design collection.

In China, Yude Li is transforming the sound of Joachim Tielke’s Viola da Gamba from the decorative arts collection into audiovisual patterns inspired by Chinese cultural artifacts.

Join us for this unique opportunity to engage directly with artists and designers envisioning the future of sound preservation. Bring your curiosity, ask questions, and take part in a global dialogue on how technology is breathing new life into historical sound memories.

About this Event

This event is part of the Studio Crawl during SF Design Week. To participate, you have to buy a One Pass through the SF Design Week website.
*If you are interested in joining only the Swissnex exhibition/event without purchasing a full SFDW pass, reach out to Pascale Speck.

The Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, Switzerland’s leading institution for design and visual communication, is pleased to announce a global digital exhibition and event series in partnership with Swissnex. This initiative is part of the museum’s 150th-anniversary celebrations and aims to strengthen its international presence and foster global collaboration. Attend related events in person or virtually. Details will be released soon.

Speakers

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    Bio

    Sophie Grossmann – Curator

    Research Associate at the Museum für Gestaltung Zürich

    Sophie Grossmann studied Cultural Publishing at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) and holds a second-graduate degree in Art History, with a focus on the History of Textile Arts, from the University of Bern. Sophie joined the Museum für Gestaltung in Zurich in 2021. Initially part of the Decorative Arts Collection, she has been a research associate since 2022, specializing in the challenges of collecting intangible cultural assets such as digital-born and hybrid objects, as well as digital documentation. In this role, she has led several case studies and collaborated with designers, artists, and institutions to commission exhibits and curate spaces dedicated to digital collecting. Sophie has presented her work on digital collecting at various institutions, including the Istituto Svizzero in Rome, the University of Bern, and others.

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