Sean Bendell-Whittaker: If only… We could send an artist into space


Sean Bendell-Whittaker expands on the idea of opening a position for a visual artist on the next manned mission to Mars


Alongside the scientists, technicians and pilots, could there be a position for a visual artist on the next manned mission to Mars? Perhaps the result of a global public art commission, set up to create a site-specific sculpture on the red planet itself?

Space exploration has traditionally been the act of analysing, documenting and gathering samples. Often we observe these results through digital images and graphical visualisation. But what if the next space exploration had an additional task, one to create a physical sculpture that represented the environment in a three-dimensional, man-made art form.

I believe an artist would perceive the planet and its surrounding in a different way, capturing features and subtle tones that may not seem relevant in a world of hard science. Like the meticulous works of environmental artists such as Andy Goldsworthy and Richard Long, a sculptural formation could be brought to life through new-found materials from the planet’s surface.

While it may all sound very aesthetic, it would not be without scientific value. We could study how the sculpture and process came to fruition and the ways in which it responds on a planet with very different physical properties to that of our own. The visual results would appeal to all walks of life, regardless of their scientific background, allowing them to take from the installation their own interpretations.

Through a creative journey of discovery, it would help to change people’s perceptions and inspire generations to follow. It would be a contemporary art installation that is quite literally out of this world.


Sean Bendell-Whittaker
Sean Bendell-Whittaker works as a senior creative at Acrylicize, an award-winning multidisciplinary art and design studio that creates bespoke art installations (such as for the front cover of this issue) that look to tell a specific story, connecting and engaging the viewers with the space they are in. From stadia to airports, offices and private homes Sean has designed and produced numerous custom art installations for some of the industries highest profile clients including Heinz, Google, Coca-Cola, BA and Lord’s.








Progressive Media International Limited. Registered Office: 40-42 Hatton Garden, London, EC1N 8EB, UK.Copyright 2024, All rights reserved.