Giant sculpture installed at airport
A 220-pound aluminum sculpture has been suspended over the baggage area of Des Moines International Airport, according to the Metro Arts Alliance of Greater Des Moines, which commissioned the piece to commemorate the group’s 40th anniversary.
The alliance works to integrate art in the community and seeks to bring the arts to all parts of the metropolitan area.
“Birds of a Feather” represents Iowa’s official state bird, the goldfinch. It was created by Bounnak Thammavong of Swisher, Iowa, his wife, Stephanie Sailer, his friend Michael Sneller of nearby Cedar Rapids, and hundreds of people who attended the Des Moines Arts Festival last summer.
Visitors to the Arts Festival were able to see the initial design and add their own flourishes by drip-painting the goldfinch sculpture and helping to design the more than 2,300 smaller birds made of repurposed materials that trail behind the goldfinch, which appears to soar above travelers at the airport.
“With the perfect timing of the installation of this art piece, it’s like a Christmas gift to Iowa,” said Kim Poam Logan, executive director of Metro Arts. “We’re excited to have it premiere for the holiday and Rose Bowl-bound travelers!”
The artist, Thammavong, said he was inspired by literature and nature as viewed through the lens of his Asian-American heritage. In 1983 at age 3, Thammavong with his family escaped from Communist-controlled Laos. He eventually studied at the University of Northern Iowa, and said, “This work of art was a good concept made great because of the parents and children who painted alongside our art team. It was a privilege to witness their discovery of their hidden artists within.”