Take Time into Your Own Hands Through LAPS Interactive Art Installation in Downtown DSM

GREATER DES MOINES, IA (March 31, 2022) – Operation Downtown and the Greater Des Moines Partnership have announced a new temporary interactive art installation called “LAPS: A Journey Through Time – Here and Now” in the Historic East Village. The spring Downtown Des Moines (DSM) edition of the colorful installation will be LAPS’ debut in the United States.

Six giant hourglass modules that reach nearly eight feet in height will be on display at 401 Robert D. Ray Drive, across the street from Brenton Skating Plaza, in Downtown DSM from March 31 through April 30. LAPS will give guests a chance to turn time forward and backward as they maneuver a small steering wheel on each hourglass at their own pace. Vivid lights and sounds will radiate from the pieces as the sand glides back and forth in motion as a reward for time saved and spent at the location.

“We are excited to be the first in the country to bring this interactive outdoor art installation to Downtown and to our region, and we are eager to have our community engage with public artwork in this fun, interactive way,” said Tiffany Tauscheck, Chief Operations Officer at the Greater Des Moines Partnership and President of Downtown DSM, Inc. “LAPS will give Downtown residents, workers and visitors a chance to experience time in a unique way as they spend quality time with friends and family in Downtown DSM and take the opportunity to experience all Downtown has to offer in terms of restaurants, retailers, amenities and much more during the month of April.”

This installation supports an ongoing series of activations that create moments of surprise and delight in Downtown DSM with the goal of getting more people supporting local Downtown businesses.

LAPS was designed by Olivier Landreville in collaboration with Serge Maheu. The interactive installation is a production of Init and is a part of a tour produced by Creos.

About Operation Downtown

Created to help make Downtown Des Moines (DSM) a safer, cleaner place to work, live and visit, Operation Downtown is classified as a Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID). Since day one, the mission has been to enhance the quality of life in Downtown DSM by keeping it safe, clean, welcoming and beautiful. Programs include trash cleanup, flower planting and visitor assistance. Operation Downtown, a 501(c)6, was formed in 1998 by business leaders to provide enhanced services that are not provided by the City of Des Moines. Today, the Greater Des Moines Partnership is a partner of Operation Downtown and helps keep DSM among the highest-rated, most vibrant regions in the country.

About Downtown, DSM, Inc.

Downtown DSM, Inc. is part of the Greater Des Moines Partnership and is dedicated to ensuring the continued growth of Downtown Des Moines (DSM). A strong region needs a strong Downtown. Downtown DSM, Inc. leads efforts to drive development, placemaking and events in Downtown DSM. It promotes a strong Downtown through integration of retail, restaurants, businesses, housing, events and placemaking.

About the Greater Des Moines Partnership

The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 24 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,500 Regional Business Members and more than 365 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.