Iowa’s innovative art installation to be demolished in the near future | Global News

The Des Moines Art Center in Iowa has announced plans to demolish a groundbreaking art installation called Greenwood Pond: Double Site, citing safety concerns and the high cost of repairs. The artwork, created by New York artist Mary Miss in 1996, has been a beloved feature of a city park for decades.

City officials have given the art center permission to begin removing the installation as early as next week, with the process expected to take months. Miss, along with other artists and arts organizations, has expressed outrage at the decision, stating that it violates a contract requiring the museum to maintain the piece.

The artwork, which offers different perspectives of a small wetlands through wooden decks, gravel paths, and metal walkways, has been celebrated as an innovative example of land art. However, the art center claims that the design and materials used in the installation make it vulnerable to Iowa’s extreme weather conditions.

The removal process will involve draining the pond, bringing in heavy equipment, and building new paths over a period of three months or more. The art center will cover the cost of the work from its budget, with no city funds being used.

Despite opposition from organizations like the Cultural Landscape Foundation, the art center remains firm in its decision, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of its guests. The demolition of Greenwood Pond: Double Site marks the end of an era for this iconic piece of land art in Des Moines.