Until October l, 1979, Des Moines existed in self-imposed isolation from current avant-garde art
activity. This occurred because art is viewed by those who promote it as an investment, because the
New Civic Center Building gives prestige to the city, never mind that there are no paid performers
attached to it, and most importantly, because the attention of the people of Des Moines is focused
on the recent past. This, in its turn, is a result of the attitude that permeates the Midwest. In general
& Des Moines in particular that is, whatever is happening, it's happening somewhere else.

Des Moines is an ideal setting for a Festival of Absence, a Dance for the Night Sun.

Fred Truck, Des Moines, 1979