In her vibrant office, Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian draws inspiration from figures like Marie Curie. “I look up to people who motivate me,” she shares while holding a photo of Curie, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize—and the only person to win it twice. “When a project gets tough, I often think, ‘What would Marie Curie or Hannah Arendt do?’ It gives me perspective and a chuckle.”
Her workspace, a uniquely decorated tube carriage atop a Shoreditch nightclub, is filled with colorful posters and eye-catching designs, reflecting her dynamic personality. “It’s the best office in London!” she exclaims, her energy infectious.
As an artist, activist, and creative director, Ben Hayoun-Stépanian has handled projects for renowned organizations like NASA, Porsche, and Nike, but she prefers not to be labeled. “I’d call myself a designer of experiences,” she says. Recently, she created a “cosmic playground” in London’s West End, featuring asteroid-shaped rocks and inflatable Schrödinger’s cats to spark curiosity about quantum physics.
Her fascination with space led her to co-found the International Space Orchestra at NASA in 2012, which has collaborated with artists like Sigur Rós and Damon Albarn. “The orchestra offers a platform for NASA personnel to discuss the challenges faced in space exploration, promoting a counterculture within the organization,” she explains.
In 2017, frustrated with conventional education, she established the University of the Underground—an innovative, no-tuition university operating from nightclub basements. Her latest film, Doppelgängers³, set to be showcased at the London SXSW festival, embodies her multifaceted approach.
The film, rich in humor and diverse ideas, features Ben Hayoun-Stépanian interviewing experts from multiple disciplines. “It’s a polyphonic narrative, reflecting how I process information,” she explains. “Space is not just a luxury; it’s a critical experiment to redefine our societies.”
In Doppelgängers³, she reflects on potential pitfalls of the billionaire space race and imagines a future that moves away from patriarchal and colonial frameworks. “Musk and Bezos dominate the conversation, but their visions lack depth and originality,” she asserts, advocating for a more inclusive perspective on space exploration.
Her film showcases her belief that exploration should challenge norms and erase boundaries. “We need to embrace a pluralistic view, letting go of binaries. Diversity in space mission design fosters innovation,” she declares, citing recent setbacks in diversity initiatives at NASA as a missed opportunity for growth.
Collaborating with figures like Pussy Riot, whose music features in her film, Ben Hayoun-Stépanian navigates the complexities of activism and existence within institutional settings. “Walking into spaces like NASA, I always encounter a mix of surprise and conflict—but that’s part of the creative process.”
As her 40th birthday approaches, she shares that exciting projects are in the pipeline, hinting at even more ambitious endeavors ahead. “My next film will push boundaries even further,” she promises.
Doppelgängers³ will be screened on June 2nd and 7th at Rich Mix in London during SXSW.
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