Lots of us like to talk about radio's power as a "visual medium," but let's face it, sometimes the fact that you can't just show the listener a picture becomes a noticeable handicap. Or it seems to. There's no tougher thing to do on radio than a piece about visual art. During one stretch in the middle of this fine piece, I found myself just wanting to SEE the pictures that Lu Olkowski was describing.

But that urge soon dropped away. First, because of Lu's descriptions, evocative and packed with meaning, of young Barbara in these photos. "She looks like Humpty Dumpty before the fall, as if she might roll backwards if given just a little nudge."

More than that, I was content not seeing the images because in the end the piece is not about the pictures. It's about a relationship. For the photographer, Andrea Modica, making pictures of Barbara is a way to be with the girl. It's also a way to keep her around--almost--after she's gone. That's something that, at least in this deftly-drawn piece, radio can get across just fine.