A person in a white protective suit sits in a small white boat, surrounded by hundreds of reflective gold spheres. Large white script across the centre reads “Nelly Ben Hayoun”, with the date “21 June 2013” below.

Here 2013 Speaker Profile: Nelly Ben Hayoun's unique approach to design

Words: Holly Wilkins
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Date: 30 April 2013; Work

Referred to as the “Willy Wonka of design and science,” Nelly Ben Hayoun is a French award-winning director, performer and experience designer. Nelly teams up with leading scientists and engineers to create events and performances with the intention of adapting science “to our creative needs.”

Nelly is the brains behind International Space Orchestra at NASA, an experimental and hybrid research laboratory where space scientists have been invited to “implement, deconstruct, perform, sing, mix, modify, and design musical acts in control rooms.” Other projects include semi-domesticated volcanoes which are installed in the living space of volunteers for a couple of weeks and erupt sporadically. Domesticating a natural disaster, Nelly wants to play on a love-hate relationship – would you try to destroy it, or invite people round to see it?

At Here 2013, Nelly will discuss her project with NASA, how this and other projects came to life, not forgetting the doubts and difficulties experienced along the way. From Chernobyl to the CMS detector, she will discuss the value of “extreme” field work, an essential part of “designer training.”

A large group of people in blue jumpsuits pose together in front of three massive, silver spherical tanks. Many of them hold musical instruments, including a tuba and a violin. — Above
Nelly Ben Hayoun: The Internation Space Orchestra (photo by Neil Berrett)

A person sits on a sofa with their legs crossed, looking towards a small model volcano erupting on a red carpet. Thick white smoke and orange flames rise from the peak of the volcano. — Above
Nelly Ben Hayoun: The Other Volcano (photo by Nick Ballon)

A person in a white outfit sits in a small white boat, holding an oar. They are surrounded by a tunnel of hundreds of reflective gold spheres. — Above
Nelly Ben Hayoun: Super K Sonic Booooum (photo by Chris Foster)

A white armchair and a matching box-like structure are completely covered in a white, textured fabric. A pair of headphones hangs from the chair, with a cable leading to a panel of plugs on the side of the box. — Above
Nelly Ben Hayoun: The Soyuz Chair (photo by Nick Ballon)

For more info on Here 2013 and to get tickets please visit: www.here-london.com

There are group discounts available – please email event@itsnicethat.com. If you’re a student or recent 2012 graduate then we’re offering educational discounts (£60 for full day pass) – simply email event@itsnicethat.com for the discount code.