RDG in the Media: Plans Revealed for Public Art Installations at the Des Moines International
DSM Magazine interviewed the five artists selected for the new Des Moines International Airport Terminal public art installations, including The Art Studio at RDG’s Matt Niebuhr, to learn more about the planned public art installations.
Five public art installations were selected last year as part of the Des Moines International Airport’s new $445 million terminal project. Directed by the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation (GDMPAF) this initiative emphasizes the integration of art and architecture to commission installations that complement the terminal's design and enhance the travel experience.
Among the projects selected is an installation by The Art Studio at RDG Planning & Design, called Color Sentinels. Comprised of eight 9-foot steel posts painted yellow on the outside and pink on the inner cutwater, the piece engages with the site’s context and physical environment, bringing vibrant color and rhythm to the airport's entrance. RDG Artist and Senior Partner and Artist Matt Niebuhr explained that the Art Studio’s goal was to create a moment of brightness and connection for travelers — a simple gesture of color and form inspired by the wild rose, Iowa’s state flower. The installation’s subtle shifts in tone throughout the day reflect the quiet beauty of Iowa’s landscape, offering a reminder that “nature always finds a way to connect with us.”
In addition to the art installation, RDG was selected to design four translucent bus shelters along the airport’s sidewalk. Each image shows patterns in nature, taking from the same inspiration as the sentinels, and reflecting segments of grass or the center of flowers. Meant to offer travelers a meaningful experience, the installation aligns with the broader vision of the airport's redevelopment, which focuses on improving the passenger experience and creating a welcoming atmosphere.