In Des Moines, a city defined by its iconic landmarks — the Travelers Umbrella, the gleaming dome of the Iowa State Capitol, the towering 801 Grand, and the luminous latticework of “Nomade” — one of its most beloved symbols is undergoing a transformation.
On Oct. 21, crews started dismantling “Nomade” at the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park in downtown Des Moines. By nightfall, the sculpture’s head was removed, and a chain-link fence surrounded the deconstruction.
“’Nomade’ is undergoing planned conservation work and will return in the spring,” said Amy Day, the senior director of communications and marketing at the Des Moines Art Center, which operates the Pappajohn Sculpture Park. “This is the first major project of many happening over the next three years.”
The Des Moines Art Center has launched a major conservation effort at the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, beginning with “Nomade,” the 27-foot-tall sculpture by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa.
A $113,000 Legacy Grant from Prairie Meadows will fund not only the preservation of “Nomade” but also broader upgrades to the park’s security and accessibility. The goal: to ensure the sculpture park remains a safe, inclusive, and inspiring space for all.
What is the history of ‘Nomade’ in Des Moines?
Since its opening in September 2009, the Pappajohn Sculpture Park has welcomed more than 3.2 million visitors and become a cornerstone of downtown Des Moines. It began as a bold vision in 2007 when venture capitalist John Pappajohn offered to donate 21 sculptures from internationally renowned artists. The city had just cleared a 4.4-acre site between Grand Avenue and Locust Street, and the idea quickly blossomed into a nationally recognized outdoor art destination featuring 27 works.
Today, the park is not only a cultural landmark but also a vital part of Des Moines’ community life. It hosts major events like the Des Moines Arts Festival and the World Food & Music Festival, drawing thousands of visitors and contributing to the city’s economic vibrancy. The park’s presence has helped catalyze more than $500 million in development along Locust and Grand, including the headquarters of Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Kum & Go over the years.
What is ‘Nomade’ by Jaume Plensa?
“Nomade,” one of the park’s most photographed and admired sculptures, is a crouching human form composed of painted stainless steel letters from the Latin alphabet. Plensa’s work explores the power of language and communication, with each letter acting as a metaphorical cell in a larger human body. The sculpture invites viewers to step inside its hollow form, offering a space for reflection and connection.
Originally displayed in Antibes, France, “Nomade” was created during the closure of the Musée Picasso and became an instant sensation on the city’s ramparts overlooking the Mediterranean. After its debut, it traveled to Miami and was acquired by Mary and John Pappajohn, who gifted it to Des Moines. A second version now resides permanently in Antibes.
‘Nomade’ is not the first sculpture removed from the Des Moines skyline
After more than two decades as a whimsical fixture in downtown Des Moines, the towering red garden trowel sculpture “Plantoir” by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen was removed from its longtime home near the Western Gateway. The 23-foot-tall artwork, which weighed 2,300 pounds and was engineered to withstand winds up to 120 miles per hour, was quietly deinstalled in September 2025 following its sale to an undisclosed out-of-state buyer.
Originally installed in 2002 by Meredith Corp. to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Better Homes and Gardens, “Plantoir” stood as a playful nod to the company’s gardening legacy. The sculpture had previously been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden in New York before arriving in Des Moines. Fabricated from aluminum, fiber-reinforced plastic, and steel, the piece was designed specifically for outdoor display in a garden setting.
The sale was confirmed by People Inc. (formerly Dotdash Meredith), which stated that local organizations were offered the chance to acquire the sculpture before it was sold to the out-of-state buyer. No local entity stepped forward with a competitive offer, and the company has declined to disclose the buyer’s identity or the final sale price.
“Plantoir” was one of two major public artworks by Oldenburg and van Bruggen in Des Moines, the other being “Crusoe Umbrella” (1979), which remains installed at Cowles Commons.
The removal of “Plantoir” marks the end of an era for Des Moines’ public art landscape, as the sculpture had become a recognizable part of the city’s skyline and a favorite among residents and visitors alike.
