Hyperlink 2026

Join us on Saturday 6 June for Hyperlink by PublicSpaces and Waag Futurelab! In workshops, talks and an exhibition, discover how we can make technology work for our democracy again.
How can we create a digital world that we actually want to be in, where we’re in control, and not inundated with ads or AI slop? How do we build alternative digital systems that serve people and the planet?

At Hyperlink, you’ll discover what’s already possible through workshops, talks and an exhibition. Train AI models, experiment with mesh technology and AR gaming, or knit the future of the internet. Artists will showcase an alternative digital world by breaking down technology and building new ideas from the digital debris. We’ll also discuss what we can do ourselves – building a resilient internet without big tech and without harming people or planet.

Programme

The doors open at 12:00 hrs, and there will be continuous workshops, talks and exhibitions to visit.

Workshops

How can we continue to communicate with one another if the internet and mobile networks go down due to a power cut or cyberattack? Try out mesh technology and send messages with our prototypes.

Connecting the dots! In the ‘Knitting Our Internet’ workshop, discover the underlying structures of the internet through knitting and weaving.

Talks

12:30 hrsGrip on genAI - with Daniëlle Arets & Ilyaz Nasrullah14:00 hrsF*ck it, we'll do it ourselves - with Jelle van der Ster & Christy Westhovens15:00 hrsDigital resilience - with Masuma Shahid & Bibi van Alphen16:00 hrsWhere's the party? - with Moktar Nabil & Atze de Vrieze17:00 hrsDance out of pattern - a performance by Luna Maurer

Exhibition: Short Circuit

Hyperscalers, algorithms, content farming, cloud computing – we know we want to change the digital world, but how?

The artists in Short Circuit break technology down and build new ideas from the digital debris. They propose alternatives and demonstrate how fair technology might be constructed. Delve into the physical impact of data centres and the cloud, explore privacy protection as an ancient curse, and discover how gamer culture and PC modding can change the way you view your relationship with hardware.

Featuring work by Ginevra Petrozzi, Gion Berlijn, Irakli Sabekia, Julia Janssen, Kai-Hsiang Wen, Nestor Siré and Papertrail.
See the timetable

PublicSpaces Conference 2026

Hyperlink is part of the sixth edition of the PublicSpaces Conference, focusing on the impact of technology on our democracy.

A digital public space is essential for a healthy democratic society. During the sixth edition of the PublicSpaces Conference, the PublicSpaces Foundation and Waag Futurelab will explore how this digital public space can be shaped by democratic values. We will look at how important Dutch issues are being addressed and explore how these can be translated into European developments and collaborations, what digital strategies and solutions are available for a wider audience, and we will look at alternatives and new visions with and through the work of artists.