Greenwood Pond artist challenges demolition
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A ramp that's part of "Greenwood Pond: Double Site" purposely disappears into the water after getting visitors to the pond's surface level, as seen in 2014. Photo: Judith Eastburn, courtesy of The Cultural Landscape Foundation
The artist behind Greenwood Pond's boardwalk alleges the Des Moines Art Center distorted her words from more than a decade ago "in the unseemly effort to destroy" her work.
Why it matters: Demolition is slated to begin next week for "Greenwood Pond: Double Site."
- Artist Mary Miss contends a 1994 contract prohibiting changes to the work without her written approval is still enforceable.
Catch up fast: The wooden pavilion opened in 1996 as part of a beautification project and a way to "move art outside the walls" of the adjacent museum.
- It has fallen into disrepair on multiple occasions and needs around $2.6 million in repairs.
State of play: DSM Art Center director Kelly Baum published an open letter in February outlining current hazards associated with the pavilion.
- In 2012, Miss recommended deinstalling her work if repairs weren't feasible, Baum wrote in the letter.
The other side: Miss contends the 2012 letter she wrote to former art center director Jeff Fleming did not give consent to the current proposed demolition.
- Her one conditional remark about removal was made in the context of a possible partial disassembly, she wrote in a recent letter.
State of play: Multiple residents urged the DSM City Council to save the pavilion during a meeting Monday, the DSM Register reports.
Yes, but: On Wednesday the art center issued a press release announcing demolition.
- The city will collaborate with the art center to"reimagine" the park, Mayor Connie Boesen said in yesterday's announcement.
What they're saying: An art center agreement with the city covers public safety matters, which predates and supersedes the one with Miss, Amy Day, a spokesperson for the art center, tells Axios.
What's next: The Cultural Landscape Foundation, an advocacy group based in Washington, D.C., contends the demolition raises legal and ethical issues.
- The group will make a statement about possible next steps to save the work in the coming days, spokesperson Nord Wennerstrom tells Axios.
