Artful balance

Tom Waseleski

The average body needs food for sustenance, but the human spirit requires more. That's why Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato's decision to impose a moratorium on any moves involving public art  on county property strikes a necessary balance between what we need and what we should have.

His move springs from the controversy at Pittsburgh International Airport over the airport authority's desire to replace "Silver Grid Wall," the aluminum screen sculpture by artist Peter Calaboyias, with a wall of advertising. I think there are plenty of ad opportunities already inside and outside the terminal. Why remove a prominent piece of art just because of money-making potential? 

Imagine replacing the Honus Wagner statue outside PNC Park with a large vending machine selling Coke. Or scrapping Dippy the dinosaur next to the Carnegie museum in favor of a billboard for UPMC. Our cultured, historic city deserves better than that. Onorato's plan to appoint a commission to oversee the placement of public art at county facilities -- art that captures our imagination, brightens our view, distracts us from the humdrum -- is enough to make the spirit soar.