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Astronaut artist lands in Boise
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Astronaut and artist Capt. Alan Bean will be in Boise on Oct. 2 and 3 for a gallery appearance, slide show and lecture to benefit Capital High School’s TC Bird Planetarium.
Bean served as a backup astronaut for the Gemini 10 and Apollo 9 missions and piloted the Apollo 12 lunar module, which completed humanity’s second moon landing. Bean became the fourth man to walk on the moon.
In all he logged nearly 2000 hours in space, including 10 that were spent in extra-vehicular activities (EVA) on the moon and in orbit of the earth.
In 1981, after 18 years as an astronaut, Bean resigned from NASA to devote his full attention to painting.
He believes seeing firsthand the places few humans ever have gave him a unique opportunity, and he hopes to express those experiences through his art.
Bean is now sharing his work in “Apollo: An Eyewitness Account by Astronaut/Explorer Artist/Moonwalker Alan Bean,” which includes an introduction by John Glenn.
Bean’s work is painted on a textured surface, which he accomplishes by altering it with the hammer and boots he used during his walk on the moon.
The paint is then infused with moon dust. Bean also mixes pieces of the patches that were attached to his spacesuit into the paint.
“I do it just to make it more moon-like. The moon is very rugged,” Bean said in a CNN interview.
“It took me eight years to realize that I was the only artist in the world who could do that in my paintings.”
Bean hopes his art will make the moon more accessible to the public. “It seems farther away now because there are no rockets getting there. Nobody is going. Maybe all this will inspire some kid to go try to be a pilot or astronaut,” Bean said.
Bean’s slide show and lecture on his space experience will be on Wed., Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. at Capital High School. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for children. Call 336-5899 for more information.
Bean’s artwork, both canvases and prints, are available for viewing at Gallery 601, 850 Main Street.
Bean will make his gallery appearance on First Thursday, Oct. 3 from 6-9 p.m., at Gallery 601, to discuss his artwork and adventures. He will also be signing his book ($45), poster “Just The Beginning” ($30) and any art purchased at the show.
Kate Roberson, The Arbiter
