Story Archive

Missing the Point Entirely — Municipal Division

The city of Martinsburg, W.V., is trying to decide what to do with an empty pedestal in its city square. The pedestal was originally built for a sculpture of Martinsburg’s founder, but city officials tabled the project, citing cost and other concerns. According to Mayor George Karos, several options have been proposed including a historical monument, a clock, or nothing. David Heatwole, 42, is advocating for a contemporary art sculpture. To demonstrate “how the arts can make Martinsburg a greater place to live, work and visit,” Heatwole put a toilet on the pedestal with the lid up. On it, he wrote “Put art in Martinsburg.” Three helium-filled purple balloons were tied to the flush handle, and a fake bill of sale for a “crappy work of art” was dangled from the toilet bowl. Twenty minutes later, city workers removed the toilet and cited Heatwole with “Littering and Deposit of Garbage, Rubbish, Junk, Etc.” He faces a maximum fine of $500. (MS/Hagerstown Herald-Mail) ...Which will be used to pay for a piece of modern art — maybe with a toilet bowl in it.