Octavia - or Alien?

Okay, time to jump into the car and find some truly curious "art" around Des Moines. Some say these amazing sculptures are selected with a secret criteria - paying homage to Des Moines' unique position in UFO history!

First up - at the east side of the intersection of South 216th Street and Marine View Drive South - is our beloved "Octavia." This is another wonderous piece by artist George C. Scott, and was (allegedly) inspired his sighting of a seal catching an octopus off of the Des Moines fishing pier.

But was it?

This phenomenal piece of art epitomizes Des Moines - quirky, eccentric, a bit upside down - and absolutely beautiful. It's true that Octavia evokes our world-famous Puget Sound octopi, but flip that sculpture upside down? Res ipsa loquitor - the "thing speaks for itself." A picture-perfect, eight-armed alien lives has been quietly among us.