By Wicker Van Orsdel
That sounds like a movie title about bank robbers! Or a gymnastic event. But, my friends, it’s all about art and the new Vault room just recently completed for the Des Moines Art Center to house their collections that are not currently being shown. In and of itself, the Vault is a giant homely underground grey cement bunker designed as a pragmatic solution to gain storage without compromising the Art Center’s original design and integrity. But for one night only (May 12) it was open to the public to raise cash and celebrate its completion.
The gigantic elevator transport down to the Vault had bar service! The signature drink, cucumber Vaultinis, were served to the riders–quel chic! I’m so glad I didn’t take the stairs! The planning committee did a great job of getting people to turn out; it was like someone kicked over the anthill. This sui generis night had the bunker brimming with art lovers, curiosity seekers and fans of the Des Moines art worlds.
Speaking of fans, we could have used a few that night. The room was hotter than Dante’s loafers. Apparently the AC was on the fritz. People just kept pouring in, foreheads dripping. (Men sweat…women perspire.) Lisa LaValle worked her tail off bringing in platters of great treats for the teeming masses (I see how she stays so tiny). The Brazilian 2wins Band , Wagner and Walter Caldas were not helping to cool things down with their with their HOT-cement-wall-rockin’ violins. Yes, hip hop violins. Great music!
About 100 Des Moines area artists donated an original piece of art to be bid on by the warm crowd. The art pieces were displayed anonymously. Bidding started at $50. I loved the Marilyn Monroe Warholesque piece, but it got bid past my price point. The winning bidders went home with their treasures and the Vault doors were locked down once again, accessible to but a chosen few.
