PUBLIC ART AT MAINFRAME

Critical Mass is the vision of Mainframe artist Molly Spain. By definition, the term critical mass addresses the size or amount required to maintain a movement or venture. The mural gives critical mass a visual representation through dark, fluctuating, totem-like columns that portray the stacks of creative disciplines at Mainframe Studios where their interplay produce colorful and varying outcomes. The artist looked to the Brutalism architecture style for inspiration. When mapping out the building’s elevations and studying its grid system, Molly started connecting its geometric block pile construction to her own art practice that works with elemental materials and references ancient structures to interpret the many ways humans have interacted with the planet. As one of its artists, Molly says the mural is a way to honor what Mainframe Studios stands for and. She states, “There is vibrancy and endless possibilities when creative forces are at work. We bring thoughtfulness and an irreplaceable perspective to our communities. Enhancing and influencing our surroundings from a place of curiosity, discovery and the ability to manifest with little hesitation.”

In September 2021, professional contractors at Heartland Finishes completed the nearly four-month process of preparing the building's surfaces and applying color. Approximately 40,000 square feet of surface was painted with 900 gallons of paint that used 1596 hours of labor.

INHALE….EXHALE…. is a large-scale rooftop art installation atop Mainframe Studios by Iowa’s premier contemporary artist/activist Jordan Weber.

Constructed from mirrored aluminum that is backlit by LED bulbs, the nearly 5-foot-high letters reflect the sky during the day and can be seen from Interstate-235 at night. In the evenings, the installation lights up and down with each breath. This significant work was installed in 2024 and funded in part by Walter Lauridsen, Bravo Greater Des Moines, the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, The Greater Des Moines Partnership and Operation Downtown, Polk County Board of Supervisors, and individual donors.

The artist chose to point his installation towards Oakridge Neighborhood with its words INHALE and EXHALE serving as a reminder that “maintaining a meditative breath can be healing when facing challenges, including discrimination.” Oakridge is a low-income housing organization serving 53% children, and 66% immigrants and refugees from over 23 countries. With a career focused on racism and environmental justice, Jordan uses his art to provoke reflection, discussion, and progress.

Jordan Weber is a New York based regenerative land sculptor and activist who works at the intersection of social justice and environmental-apartheid through grass roots collaboration in industrial polluted neighborhoods such as St. Louis, Minneapolis, Detroit, Red Hook, NY, Boston and Des Moines, Iowa.

Most recently Weber was appointed as the inaugural Yale University artist in residence to build an environmental-humanities focused project at Horse Island for the Black and Indigenous student body population.

Honors include the 2023 Guggenheim Award, 2022 United States Artist Award, 2021 Harvard LOEB Fellow, 2020 Joan Mitchell Award, 2019 Creative Capital Award.

Read more here and here.

Click here for the full press release on the dedication ceremony.

Located prominently on the first floor of Mainframe Studios, is a captivating installation created by renowned Graphic Designer and Mainframe artist Jay Vigon. Known for his bold graphics, logo design, music packaging, and fashion advertising, Vigon's work is instantly recognizable. The artwork is hung above the elevators and showcases Vigon's iconic painted faces, paying homage to the diverse and dynamic individuals who populate our building each day. The installation is a striking focal point, showcasing Vigon's unique artistic style and adding an energetic and vibrant element to the lobby.

In summer 2026, Mainframe Studios commissioned a mural through an open call for artists to help connect our colorful exterior with our interior atrium. Designed to welcome visitors the mural offers a glimpse of the creativity that lies within our building. Maddy beautifully illustrates the creative energy flowing from floor to floor within our studio community.

Maddy’s Artist Statement: "This mural transforms the atrium into a surreal landscape where different creative practices merge into one environment. References to music, printmaking, painting, glass, photography and other artistic processes are woven throughout the piece as hidden discoveries. References to music, printmaking, painting, glass, photography and other artistic processes are all a part of an atmosphere that grows from the collaboration, experimentation and community that make Mainframe such a unique place! The design invites viewers to look closely and find connections between the many forms of creativity that exist within Mainframe."