WHY DO WE ENJOY ART? Observing Alan Bean, the Astronaut Painter

The Fantasy

Alan Bean (1992) 

32 x 48 inches, Acrylic on Aircraft Plywood

One of the biggest questions surrounding cultural studies is: Why do we enjoy art? 

To answer this, I look no further than the story of artist Alan L. Bean. Above is a painting of his titled, The Fantasy, which depicts three human figures standing on the moon, clad in astronaut gear and posing in front of a shuttle. Their faces are obscured by black reflective helmets, bubbled mirrors revealing the viewer's perspective as a device on a stand. It is invoking for sure, even the title gives suggestion to what is depicted. Could it be referring to a childhood dream of ascending the stars? Is it a celebration of the historical moon landing? Could it refer to the space race, and humanity's fantasy of reaching Earth's moon? It was a culturally significant event. Maybe the artist just wanted to paint a fantastical astronaut scene?

Regardless of personal interpretation, we can generally agree that The Fantasy is an impressive painting with great attention to detail, displaying a high level of technical skill. But beyond the surface of the painting, and unbeknownst to us, inside the painting, is the artist's personal relationship to his subject matter. An experience of exhilarating chrome adventure, and wonder powdered with shining moon dust. 

You see, along with being an excellent painter, Alan L. Bean was the fourth person to ever walk on the moon. Born in Texas, the young Alan Bean was an enlisted member of the United States Navy shortly after graduating from high school. He later attended The University of Texas in Austin, majoring in aeronautical engineering and earned a Bachelor of Science degree. After graduation, he returned to the Navy to undergo pilot training. In 1963, he was chosen by NASA to join the third astronaut program and eventually served as a Lunar Module pilot in the Apollo 12 mission. For such endeavoring tasks the Apollo missions demanded, required the best of the best in STEM. Among his peers were engineers, scientists and techies alike, who were all very technical oriented people. Consequently, there were seldom artists and poets, and little place for the humanities in their work. Bean used to be one of these people.

His experiences achieving the marvel of walking on the moon created memories and emotions that were indescribable to him. Through the beauty of space, our moon and our world, he became inspired. Of course there were photographs of their space travels, but they could not convey what he saw and felt. After he retired from NASA, he became devoted to becoming a professional artist in order to express what he could not express in words.

 

"I'm the only one who can paint the moon, because I'm the only one who knows whether that's right or not."

-Alan Bean

Artistic Elements 

His regularly chosen mediums for paintings, such as The Fantasy, were primarily acrylic paints, but he also included some unique multimedia elements in his works. Given his background and subjects, he incorporated details that would be oblivious to observers. Such an example, is that the canvas he painted The Fantasy on is made of Aircraft-grade Plywood (used in construction of planes for it's strength and durability), reflecting his history as a pilot. 

Rock'n'Roll  on the Ocean of Storms (2002)

Detail of Bootprint

He also creatively utilizes texture, in another one of his paintings titled, Rock'n'Roll on the Ocean of Storms (2002), a footprint can be seen seemingly stamped on top of the artwork. At first glance, this might not even be noticeable. The imprint was created using a replica of a boot from Bean's own space suit. Most interesting by far, is that he has utilized literal moon dust in his works! Remnants of the dust came from his old gear and he incorporated them inside paint. He also similarly integrated parts of the suit, such as bits of fabric or patches. They might be the only paintings on earth with pieces of the moon inside!

Bean has self-described his style as inspired by Monet's impressionism. However, unlike Monet he worked with acrylics and not oils. The most common reoccurring theme in his work is how he visually depicts the moon. The seemingly monochrome surface of the rocky terrain is elevated with a palette of  vibrant colors that glisten from the texture of its acrylic paint. Through this, he captures the reflections, light, wonder and most importantly, human joy that accompanied him in his journey. The humans depicted might be clad in bulky, white spacesuits, but their body language speaks volumes. They are seen reaching out, waving their arms, trying to touch the stars. Or curiously reaching down to inspect the moon's surface. If we look  back to The Fantasy, we can notice these details in the posing. The astronaut left points towards the astronaut to the center, and the astronaut on the right can be seen making a bunny ear peace sign behind the center astronaut. And finally, the center astronaut is gesturing to both friends besides them.

Alan Bean has also provided commentary on the story behind The Fantasy through an archived webpage on his personal website. It is here we are given the full context of the piece in his own words:

"Pete Conrad, Dick Gordon and I were assigned by head astronaut Deke Slayton as the backup crew for Apollo 9. This was super news because this meant we would fly three missions subsequent and make one of the first Moon landings.

The most experienced astronaut was designated commander, in charge of all aspects of the mission including flying the lunar module. Prudent thinking suggested that the next most experienced crew member be assigned to take care of the command module since it had a heat shield and was our only way back home. This left the least experienced to accompany the commander. Pete Conrad had flown two Gemini flights, the second with Dick Gordon as his crew mate. I had not flown at all.

During training, Pete and I frequently practiced our lunar surface activities such as emplacing experiments, gathering rock samples, or making observations. We were excited. We were going to have the ultimative adventure someone in our profession could experience. But while we did, Dick Gordon would be orbiting 60 miles above us. We often fantasized Dick joining us on the Moon for all the fun, but we could never really find a way. But now I'm an artist and in my paintings I can have it my way. Now, at last, our best friend has come the last 60 miles.

One last story. Dick was the more experienced astronaut, yet I got the prize assignment. In the three years of training preceding our mission, he never once said: 'It's not fair, I wish I could walk on the Moon too.' I do not have his unwavering discipline or strength of character."        

                                                                                                             - Alan Bean on The Fantasy (1992)

What stands out in the final words, is the revelation that The Fantasy was not of Gordon's, but Bean's. The intensity and circumstance of a once-in-a-lifetime experience is expressed. What we see is what could have been. And in a way that was a gift to a friend. Through art, the human spirit can communicate what cannot be expressed. That is why it is significant.

Due to complications fighting an illness, Alan Bean passed away on May 26th, 2018 in Houston, Texas at the age of 86 years old. As an artist he leaves us with over 100 completed paintings, which can be viewed on his personal website alanbeangallery.com. Alan J. Bean was a patriot, airmen, astronaut, artist and father. His work has contributed to some of the greatest achievements in the scientific world, and human history.

Pete Conrad, Dick Gordon, and Al Bean pose with the Apollo 12 Saturn V

"Our time on the Moon ended much too quickly and, in the years since then, I have created paintings to try to capture the feeling of our Apollo 12 mission, as well as all the other the Apollo missions, too. It's my hope that these paintings will help other people share in the great adventure."                           -Alan Bean

 

References:

Bean, Alan. Early Art. 2008. Alan Bean. https://www.alanbean.com/early_art.cfm Accessed 17, Sept. 2022.

Bean, Alan. The Fantasy - Conrad, Gordon, and Bean. 1992. Alan Bean Gallery, https://www.alanbeangallery.com/Fantasy-story.html, 

Bean, Alan. Rock'n'Roll on the Ocean of Storms. 2002. Alan Bean Gallery. https://www.alanbeangallery.com/essay6.html Accessed 17. Sept. 2022.

32 x 48 inches, Acrylic on Aircraft Plywood, Accessed 17, Sept. 2022.

Dunbar, Brian. Alan Bean. 26 May 2018. NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/feature/alan-bean/ Accessed 17, Sept. 2022

NASA, (Left to right) Pete Conrad, Dick Gordon, and Al Bean pose with the Apollo 12 Saturn V in the background on the pad at the Cape on 29 October 1969. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. 29 Oct. 1969. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File(Left_to_right)_Pete_Conrad,_Dick_Gordon,_and_Al_Bean_pose_with_the_Apollo_12_Saturn_V.jpg Accessed 17, Sept. 2022. 

New Mexico Museum of Space History. Alan L. Bean. 2021. NMCO Media, New Mexico. https://www.nmspacemuseum.org/inductee/alan-l-bean/?doing_wp_cron=1663444811.5307080745697021484375. Accessed 17, Sept. 2022.

Windsor Plywood. Birch Aircraft Plywood. https://www.windsorplywood.com/product/birch-aircraft-plywood/#:~:text=Aircraft%20plywood%20is%20made%20with,plywoods%20just%20won't%20do. Accessed 17, Sept. 2022.

Wu, Eileen. Photograph of Alan Bean and his workstation. 1 May 2018. Alcade, Texas. https://alcalde.texasexes.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/ALANBEANWEB2.jpg.  Accessed 18 Sept. 2022.