From Meredith to People Inc.: The end of a publishing era in Des Moines
Dotdash Meredith announced on July 31 that the company is now People Inc.
Recognized as the world’s biggest garden trowel, the sculpture “Plantoir” on the campus of People Inc., formerly Dotdash Meredith, in the Western Gateway of downtown is about to get yanked out of the ground where it’s stood as a Des Moines landmark for almost a quarter-century.
People Inc. announced Friday, Aug. 22, that it has sold the famed sculpture but said it was not at liberty to disclose where the artwork will go or the price paid.
“We recently finalized the sale of the Plantoir, the art installation situated near the campus entrance,” said a statement issued by People Inc. “The sale was completed with an out-of-state buyer that made a significant offer for the piece. We agreed to the sale only after offering the piece to local organizations. The Plantoir will likely be moved to the new owner before the end of September.”
The company declined to say which local organizations had been offered the chance to buy the sculpture. Calls to the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation and the Des Moines Art Center were not immediately returned Friday.
The sculpture by husband-and-wife artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen has graced the campus of the former Meredith Corp. since 2002, when the then Des Moines-based publisher of magazines including Better Homes & Gardens bought it in celebration of the company’s 100th anniversary.
Its site is just a few blocks from where the Pappajohn Sculpture Park later opened.
Made from aluminum, fiber-reinforced plastic and steel, the sculpture is more 23 feet tall and weighs 2,300 pounds. Constructed to withstand winds up to 120 mph, it is recognized as the World’s Largest Garden Trowel Sculpture by the World Record Academy.
“Plantoir” is not the only Oldenburg and van Bruggen public art piece in Des Moines. The couple previously designed “Crusoe Umbrella,” installed on Cowles Commons in 1979.
The sale of the sculpture follows Dotdash Meredith’s announcement July 31 that the now New York-based company was changing its name to People Inc. in recognition of its flagship magazine title. The move erased the historic Meredith name from Des Moines corporate community.
However, People, Inc. in its statement Friday indicated it was still committed to Des Moines.
“This sale does not, in any way, diminish our commitment to the Des Moines community, and we are investing in the redesign and renovation of our building at 1716 Locust,” it said. “In addition, we continue to support Des Moines community programs including Junior Achievement, United Way of Central Iowa, Animal Rescue League, Habitat for Humanity, BRAVO, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, PI515, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa, Central Iowa Shelter and Services, Meals from the Heartland, and World Food & Music Festival (happening this weekend).”
People, Inc. was the result of the $2.7 billion combination in 2021 of IAC/Interactive’s New York-based digital content company Dotdash, home of websites such as The Spruce and Investopedia, and Meredith Corp., which began 123 years ago in Des Moines with a farming magazine and eventually amassed a vast portfolio of titles, including People.
Kevin Baskins covers jobs and the economy for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at kbaskins@registermedia.com.