The Des Moines Art Center has agreed to demolish a commissioned environmental artwork, “Greenwood Pond: Double Site,” by artist Mary Miss in exchange for $900,000. The museum had cited the work as a safety hazard due to Iowa’s harsh climate and deemed it too expensive to repair.
Miss, 80, had filed a lawsuit against the museum last April seeking to save the piece, which was created between 1989 and 1996. “Greenwood Pond” was one of the first urban wetland projects in the country and had been restored by Miss with local Indigenous communities over seven years.
The settlement ends a yearlong battle for the artist, who plans to donate a portion of the funds to preserve at-risk public artworks. Art historians and critics have expressed their sadness over the demolition, citing its cultural significance as an example of environmental art.
The museum had initially spent nearly $1 million on repairs but deemed it too expensive to continue. The demolition is expected to cost up to $350,000, bringing the total cost to $1.25 million.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/14/arts/design/des-moines-art-center-mary-miss-settlement-land-art.html