A $900,000 settlement has ended a legal stalemate over a deteriorating art installation in Greenwood Park, allowing its removal. The “Greenwood Pond: Double Site” was built around and into a pond at the site, just south of the Des Moines Art Center. The installation, which dates back to 1989, had deteriorated to the point where it was fenced off for safety since 2023.
The installation’s designer, Mary Miss, sued to stop its removal, citing her original contract. However, the parties have reached a settlement, with Miss receiving $900,000 in exchange for dismissing her case and allowing the Art Center to proceed with demolition.
As part of the agreement, Miss also launched a Public Art Advocacy Fund to prevent similar situations, with herself as the inaugural donor. The fund aims to provide education and advocacy strategies for endangered site-specific art installations.
The settlement has brought new attention to the work and the plight of other public art installations elsewhere. Under the terms of the settlement, the Art Center will move “as soon as practicable” to remove the Greenwood Pond installation.
Source: https://eu.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/2025/01/14/des-moines-art-center-greenwood-pond-double-site-to-be-removed-in-settlement-mary-miss/77693902007