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Crystal Bennes

@crystalbennes

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‘This dangerous Woman hath a busie wit’.
Artist & Writer
2026 @immaireland @fotogalleriet_oslo @eriskayconnection

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Klara and the Bomb is a photographical and historical work that charts connecting threads between the invention of modern computers, the history of nuclear weapons and, in particular, the narratives of the women involved.While computing technology is ubiquitous today, its militaristic history and colonial connections continue to be underplayed or obscured: the modern computer originates in military-funded nuclear weapons research and development that took place during and after the Second World War. Many of these weapons were later detonated in the Marshall Islands where indigenous communities were coerced into leaving their homes. These interconnected stories are told through the little-known life of Klara von Neumann, who came to the United States after marrying the noted mathematician John von Neumann. As one of the first computer programmers, Klara’s story highlights the extent to which women were involved in the development of both computing and nuclear weapons from the 1940s onwards. Klara’s life ended tragically: in 1963, her body was found on the beach not far from her California home. Suicide by drowning, the coroner’s report stated.@crystalbennes (US) combines fieldwork images with archival research, declassified papers, military propaganda, historical images and an extensive textual narrative to bring these stories to life.🎥: @danmariner :::#ateliernoua #noua #photography #photographicart #exhibitionspace #contemporaryphotography #kunstibodo #Bodø #Norway #nordland #northernnorway by @crystalbennes

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a year ago

O (copper, cotton, cobalt, crude, naphtha, bauxite, palm), 2024 Installation, including bespoke table, conservation boxes, constructed archive, Financial Times pink paint and divination robe – with scheduled performances. The Neutral State, 2024 Silent film on monitor, 13 mins Pecunia non olet[“money has no smell”], 2024 Machine-woven Jacquard tapestry “Crystal Bennes’s new project O (copper, cotton, cobalt, crude, naphtha, bauxite, palm) addresses the rapaciousness and sophistry of commodities trading, an arena in which financial instruments, including options and derivatives, are used to bet on the future value of resources such as oil, metals, coffee and cotton. Through tapestry, sculptural installation, video and performance, the artist draws on her instincts and expertise as a wayward academic researcher, investigating the histories of science to uncover the mechanisms and dramatis personae of this opaque and often corrupt world. Commodities trading is often a rigged game where insiders have access to privileged information that is exploited to their advantage. Yet what Bennes will perform are narratives from the perspective of ethics that draw on the methodology of open-access research communities and the mystical approach of Pythia, the oracle at Delphi, whose advice was often sought on matters of democratic governance in Ancient Greece. While research seeks to produce definitive conclusions through rigorous examination and collaboration, the oracular mode of consultation and divine peer review often produced ambiguity, allowing for broader interpretation. In the space of art, the one does not necessarily invalidate the other, Bennes suggests. By giving precedence to visual and performative explanation, Bennes conjures a space where discovery and reasoning, evidence and narratives, enmesh with representation, picturing and the live construction of knowledge.”Above extracts from a commissioned essay by the wonderful Mariana Cánepa Luna and Max Andrews of Barcelona-based curatorial duo, Latitudes.All photos by Sally Jubb, courtesy Talbot Rice Gallery.O is at @talbotricegallery until 1 June as part of the Talbot Rice Résidents exhibition by @crystalbennes

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2 years ago

Opening tomorrow! Here, at last, is Thorvaldsen’s Weeds in all its first-flush summer glory!So much has happened since I was last here three weeks ago. The flax is blossoming, loads of different clovers are in flower, the plantago afra is taking over (in a good way), there are field forget-me-nots and scarlet pimpernels kicking about. The grasses & bromes have been surprisingly slow growing, but I’m thinking they’ll be the second wave. It’s looking wonderful. It smells good. I’m happy!!! by @crystalbennes

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3 years ago

It still amazes me that, after five years of work, it only takes four hours to print a book. Yesterday, @carelfransen & I were at Wilco to print We Eat the Earth and she’s looking mighty fine. After the first set of proofs, we ended up completely changing the image paper and the printing technique—stressful, but definitely the right decision for the book. It’s good to be present for printing, partly because it’s joyful and fascinating, but also to make sure that everything is as you envision.I’m heading home and she’s now off to the bindery to get folded, stitched, glued, trimmed and bound in a purple linen cap with a bright orange foil on the spine. Books coming late summer! by @crystalbennes

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8 days ago

"If the song is silent for a while it doesn’t mean it isn’t a song anymore." Lisa Suhair Majaj, Song.This August we're walking again.With global media attention diverted towards the US and Israeli-led attacks on Iran, it is vital to remember that Israel is still murdering people in Gaza every day. The illegal blockade continues to restrict the availability of food, clean water, medicine and other essential supplies.The walk follows the outline of Gaza, transposed onto the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, and nearby towns and countryside. This is the same route we walked in May 2025.This is now the fourth such effort we have organised, following similar walks in the Scottish Borders in October 2024, Edinburgh in May 2025, and north Northumberland in October 2025.Each time, when you place one map on top of the other, the first thing you notice is how tiny Gaza is. 25 miles of coastline; a population of over 2 million people; bombed for nearly three years, with barely a pause for breath, and no possibility to hide or escape.70% of funds raised will go to the Matar family: Suhail, Hanan, Muhammad, Deeb, Ali, Suhaila, Israa, Doaa, Zeina, Sila and Muhammad. Displaced from north Gaza at the beginning of the current genocide, they have repeatedly been forced to relocate in order to escape attacks by the Israeli occupation forces. They are currently based in Gaza City, where, along with many others, they have been living in tents since 2023.Suhail has endured heartbreaking losses of friends and family. There is now more food available in the markets but the family need funds to pay for them. Access to clean water is currently severely limited. 30% of funds raised will go to The Sameer Project, a donations-based aid initiative, led by Palestinians in the diaspora, working to supply emergency shelter and aid to displaced families across Gaza.Donations link in bio.Email us to join the walk..ItineraryFriday – Monday, 7 – 10 August 2026Fri: Edinburgh to Balerno along the Water of Leith (16 miles)Sat: Balerno to West Linton (13 miles)Sun: West Linton to Bonnyrigg (18 miles)Mon: Bonnyrigg to Joppa (12 miles) by @crystalbennes

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19 days ago

Our plans were six weeks in China then another six weeks in Georgia via the Stans, but we ended up spending all three months in China. Three GLORIOUS months. I missed you all, but I really did not want to come home. The food!!!! I can’t believe we live in a beige world of sad, expensive food. Tom made a vat of Sichuan chili oil a few days ago with chili powders we bought in the wet market before leaving. Should help my soul and my stomach for the foreseeable.In three months, we tracked the trails of 19th-century plant hunters in the mountains of western Sichuan, woke up at dawn to cycle the streets of Beijing, watched Kunqu in Hangzhou, learned traditional embroidery and indigo dyeing with Bai aunties in Zhoucheng, climbed tea-covered hills in Wuyishan, wandered the atmospheric neighbourhoods of old Guangzhou, tried and failed to go hiking in Dali.I practiced my 中文 in the markets and restaurants. My vocabulary is largely food-related. I received a Chinese name from a friend: 白晶花 Bai Jinghua, white crystal flower. Or white vegetable, as Tom jokes.Celebrated 15 entire years of marriage to the love of my life. Made lifelong friends with too many wonderful people. Kept off the socials, hardly replied to emails. Learned heaps. Read loads. Nearly finished David Harvey’s 750-page commentary on Marx. Finally read Sylvia Wynter’s novel, The Hills of Hebron. Bawled my eyes out when I finished it.I had so much time to think and reflect, on life and how I’m living it and how I want to live it differently. It is truly such a blessing to have time to think and be and just exist, away from all of the toxicity, demands and urgency of “normal” life.I am so thankful that I get to go back again for another long chunk of time in spring next year. Only nine months to go!Gonna try to continue to keep a healthy distance from the socials & use IG mostly for work stuff from now on. Will keep an eye on DMs, but send me an email or text if you want to chat. Better yet, let’s hang out in Edinburgh or anywhere! Xx by @crystalbennes

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21 days ago

The architecture and the infrastructure of Gallery Weekend Beijing lends itself to “overinflated” art, writes Crystal Bennes. And yet beyond the spectacle, she finds artists still committed to talking about labor, solidarity, and the ethical responsibilities of art. Read at the link in bio. #crystalbennes #beijinggalleryweekend@crystalbennes @galleryweekendbeijing_Images: [1] View of Luan Xueyan’s “void with wind” at MACA Art Center, Beijing, 2026. Image courtesy of @macaartcenter. Photo by Sun Shi. [2] View of Ni Youyu’s “Dawn’s Bells and Dusk’s Drums” at @galleriacontinua, Beijing, 2026. From the series “Galaxy” (2008–ongoing). © Ni Studio. [3] Cheng Xinhao, Stratums and Erratics, 2023–24. Still from single-channel video (color, sound), 121:09 minutes. Image courtesy of the artist. by @crystalbennes

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a month ago

Short love note to say that I’m taking something like a sabbatical behind the great firewall for three months from this Monday so you won’t see me around here for some time.I won’t be checking DMs at all, so if you want to send me those cute animal gifs try an old-fashioned email.Ok, love you, speak in July. by @crystalbennes

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4 months ago

💥 Would that every collaboration could be as wonderful as Pompey! Nothing but gratitude and delight at the magical transformation wrought to my script by UCD’s Ad Astra drama and music scholars. Enormously grateful for the warmth, wit and talent of the cast who brought not only the play’s characters to life, but the Matchless Orinda herself. Deepest thanks to Millie, Matthias, Jessica, James, Eoin, Alex, Daragh, Brendan, Yvette and Lily.This time last year, Pompey was nothing more than a mad dream of mine. Oh happy fates, who steered me to Ad Astra Artistic Director, Kellie Hughes. From our first conversation, I knew Kellie was a real one. Her support, enthusiasm and vision is what made all of this possible. I’m now so used to art-world collaborations, where one artist does everything, or at least takes credit for doing everything, and I’m not saying theatre has it all figured out, but this entire experience has been a revelation. Good collaboration is a BLESSING. And this creative team is a testament to the relationships forged & sustained by Kellie.Heartfelt thanks to Therésé Timoney for the perfect music & for making my harpsichord dreams come true, to Sabine Dargent and Luana Filipe for the absolutely impeccable costumes, and to Michael Cummins for bringing IMMA’s rooms to life with magical lighting. Finally, thanks to IMMA’s Janice Hough for saying “you want to do what?!” when I first mentioned the play, and then being Pompey’s institutional guardian angel, shepherding us through permissions and building regulations to curtain call. Final two performances today at 1pm & 3pm are completely sold out. ✨ @immaireland @adastraacademy POMPEY TEAMMillie Bolger: CleopatraMatthias Clark: Musician-ViolinJessica Collins: Achilles/ ServantJames Durkin: Photinus/ ServantEoin Kelly: PtolomyAlex Kelly: Septimus/Musician-HarpsichordDaragh MacLachlan: CaesarBrendan McDonnell: Musician-OboeYvette McDonnell: Audience guide/Ghost of PompeyLily Moore: CorneliaCrystal Bennes: Adaptation Kellie Hughes: DirectionTherésé Timoney: Music DirectionSabine Dargent: CostumeMichael Cummins: LightingLuana Filipe: Costume Supervisor by @crystalbennes

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4 months ago

More tickets have just been released for the performance POMPEY, taking place this weekend at IMMA in our historic heritage rooms. Created by IMMA’s Dwell Here 2025 resident Crystal Bennes in collaboration with UCD Ad Astra Academy Artistic Director Kellie Hughes and Music Director Therese Timoney, POMPEY will be performed by Ad Astra drama and music scholars. It offers a bold reimagining of Katherine Philips’s adaptation of Pierre Corneille’s 17th-century epic.This performance reframes ancient Rome through the political turbulence of Restoration Ireland, asking pointed questions about power, loyalty, and survival in uncertain times. This striking new adaptation draws unsettling parallels between the 17th century and our present moment, exploring colonial and post-colonial identity, the erosion of democratic rule, and the inventive ways women wield political power when they are excluded from official authority. 📅 28 & 29 March / 1pm & 3pm📍 IMMA, North Range. Meeting point: reception desk🎟️ €12 full price / €10 concession. Book your ticket now at https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/pompey-tickets-1983955781148?aff=oddtdtcreator🔸 Note: Ticket lines close Friday 27 March at 3pm at which stage refunds and further sales will not be possible. by @crystalbennes

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4 months ago

Suhail sent me this video this morning. 💔 A ferocious dust storm is blowing through the camps of displaced people—including Suhail and his family—battering their fragile tents.I know there are so many demands and requests on our attention and our wallets, but the people in G@za are still suffering, as they have been for the last two and a half years. Our taxes pay for the weapons and the warships being sent by our governments to keep people living continuously in these conditions. If we aren’t willing to put our bodies on the line to stop this violence, literally the very least we can do is provide reparations through contributions.Families have no way to earn income. They rely on us to support them until they are again able to support themselves. Don’t stop giving. Reach out your hand to those reaching out for support.@sohul_matar by @crystalbennes

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4 months ago

I stand in solidarity with the signatories of ANGA’s demands and support their call to exclude Isl from the Venice Biennale. Culture must not provide cover for g3n0cide and the brutal imperial aggression being unleashed on 1ran and L3banon.No artwashing in our name.Share this post to voice your support. @angalliance by @crystalbennes

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4 months ago