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Henry Winkler supports the statue effort. |
 | By Molly Snyder Edler   OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writer E-mail author | Author bio More articles by Molly Snyder Edler |
| Published Sept. 30, 2007 at 5:18 a.m. |
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Ayyyyyyy! It's no secret that Downtown Milwaukee may soon sport a statue of "The Fonz," but here's your chance to state your opinion as to whether or not this is a good idea. For anyone not familiar with this issue, here's a quick recap:
So far, Visit Milwaukee has raised almost $50,000 of the $85,000 needed for a bronze sculpture that would be unveiled in 2008. The "Bronze Fonz" is, of course, a tribute to Arthur Fonzarelli, the character played by actor Henry Winkler in the television show "Happy Days," which took place in Milwaukee circa the 1950s.
Winkler says he would come to Milwaukee for the dedication if the sculpture is erected, and Visit Milwaukee says it is confident it will be.
So what do you think? Would you like to see a "Fonzie" sculpture Downtown? Sound off now, Milwaukee!
Yes, that would be cool. A Fonz sculpture is kitschy and fun, and would be a great addition to Downtown Milwaukee. Plus, it's keeping with a trend that's happening in other cities: there's a statue of Mary Richards from "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" in Minneapolis and one of Bob Hartley from "The Bob Newhart Show" in Chicago. The "Rocky" statue in Philadelphia is a big hit with tourists. And hey, it still beats Mark di Suvero's "sunburst sculpture" at the foot of Wisconsin Avenue.
No way, it's totally uncool. A "Bronze Fonz" is a bad idea. "The Fonz" depicts an old image of Milwaukee, the one that was all about a conservative, Blue Collar existence. Brew City struggles enough with its self-image, and is trying to redefine itself beyond stereotypes, and this statue will just reinforce them. And, hey, some of us like di Suvero and "The Calling."
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10 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review. |
Recent Talkbacks ...
Posted by jtgalas on Nov. 30, 2007 at 1:08 p.m. (report)
I appreciate that an organization wants to beautify Milwaukee and make it more tourist friendly. However, I am somewhat dumbfounded that they can't come up with a better piece of art, one that speaks for the human spirit of our time, that speaks of transcendence. Lets strive for greatness in public art and urban planning. Sometimes its good for art to be controversial. The kitschy pop culture icons of the past are no reason for memorialization. For those you that don't know "Kitsch" means bad art. Kitsch is over sentimentalized art that does not communicate true artistic feeling of lasting quality. Its like a symbol of a symbol. Don't we have enough of that around here. Actually, what the Fonz statue really symbolizes is that Milwaukeens have a lack cultural identity and lack of artistic maturity. I travel a lot and often have out of town guests. A bronze fonz is not a tourist attraction. Think about it, would you drive to chicago to see a statue of tv character? How about Milwaukee does something original instead of just following national trends. That would make a real tourist destination.
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Posted by dskopp on Nov. 27, 2007 at 6:45 p.m. (report)
I think it is great to have a statue of the "Fonz" in Milwaukee. I grew up in the "Fonz" era, and Henery Winkler is deserving of this honor!
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Posted by mitchgat on Oct. 1, 2007 at 11:09 a.m. (report)
Finally!!! Next: Laverne and Shirley!
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Posted by T15 on Oct. 1, 2007 at 8:31 a.m. (report)
Good idea. If you say 'No no no', you should really give a reason of you own with some of your thought, or you sound like a little baby. 'No, no, no, why? why? why?
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Posted by bleeth on Sept. 30, 2007 at 1:23 p.m. (report)
There's absolutely no downside to this fun, photo op. Let's not take ourselves too seriously. What really hasn't been reported is that virtually every civic booster group is supporting this - Visit Milwaukee, Spirit of Milwaukee, the Riverwalk District, East Town and West Town Associations and the Downtown BID. They support it for the same reason - it's fun and harms no one. What also has been absent in the media coverage is that Henry Winkler, the man behind the Fonz, also happens to be a great guy! He had a child that graduated from UW-Madison. He's a great Milwaukee booster; he a children's book author. and he's been to Milwaukee for fund-raisers in the past. Lastly, the Fonz in bronze news has put Milwaukee in literally hundreds of media outlets and blogs throughout the world. It doesn't hurt the city image one iota to be in the news about something fun instead of perhaps reading about the city in some negative context such as crime, the Frank Jude, beating, etc. Let's celebrate the new and old that represent our great city and that includes the Fonz in Bronz!
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