In a precedent-setting resolution that highlights the complex intersection of artistic rights and institutional limitations, renowned artist Mary Miss has secured a $900,000 settlement from the Des Moines Art Center over the planned demolition of her deteriorating 1996 installation, “Greenwood Pond: Double Site,” per artnews.com.
The settlement marks the end of a contentious year-long dispute that began when the art centre announced plans to dismantle the site-specific work, citing insurmountable maintenance challenges and public safety concerns. The wooden installation, which harmoniously integrated with the museum’s grounds and surrounding lagoon, had succumbed to extensive environmental damage over its 27-year lifespan.
Museum director Kelly Baum had previously estimated an $8 million price tag for full restoration and ongoing maintenance, including dedicated staff oversight – a figure that proved prohibitive for the institution. When private fundraising efforts fell short, the impasse led to legal action, with Miss filing suit in April 2024, arguing breach of contract based on the museum’s 1994 commitment to preserve the work “in perpetuity.”
The case took a dramatic turn in May when an Iowa judge temporarily halted the demolition, ruling that while the museum couldn’t destroy the work without the artist’s consent, it wasn’t financially obligated to restore it. This legal stalemate set the stage for the current settlement, which allows the museum to proceed with demolition while compensating the artist.
In a notable gesture toward art preservation, Miss has pledged to donate a portion of the settlement to a new fund established by The Cultural Landscape Foundation, specifically designed to protect threatened site-specific artworks. The total cost to the museum, including the estimated $350,000 demolition expenses, will approach $1.3 million – significantly less than the projected restoration costs but still a substantial financial commitment for the institution.
This resolution sets an important precedent for similar cases involving aging site-specific installations, highlighting the delicate balance between artistic legacy, institutional resources and public safety considerations in the preservation of contemporary art.
