Fonzie Statue

[Patrick425]

Don't know if anyone has heard about this. It was reported in the Journal/Sentinel a few weeks ago that there was a proposal to build a Fonzie statue downtown. Now, it appears that they have raised most of the funds needed to build it and there are some local art gallery owners that are not very happy about it. Here are the articles from this week:

 

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=690233

 

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=691678

 

When I first heard about it I thought Yikes, that sounds pretty cheesy. However, I really don't care. If it doesn't involve tax payer money, so what? Now that these snobby gallery owners have spoken up, I'm more for it. Their quote " it's an icon of mediocre art, something Milwaukee has been plagued with for years." Give me a break. Milwaukee if full of common, blue collar "icons" ..bowling allies, dive bars, people wearing foam cheese on their head, racing sausages, etc....but erecting a statue of a fictional TV character is the last straw that will make you pack up and leave?!?

 

Why do people get so up-in-arms about things like this or "The big blue shirt" at the airport (remember that)? Who cares?

 

 

[bork]

Why do people get so up-in-arms about things like this or "The big blue shirt" at the airport (remember that)? Who cares?

The blue shirt would have used taxpayer money. That was the rub there.

 

As for the Fonz, I think it's a goofy idea, but it's not my money. So whatever floats your boat.

[Patrick425]

The blue shirt would have used taxpayer money. That was the rub there.

Actually, I think the airlines where paying for it along with other improvements at Mitchell.

[gypcasino]

The blue shirt was also stupid and ugly in some people's opinions.

[Patrick425]

I'm not an art expert by any means, so I guess I'll never understand the difference between good art and common art.

Some guy paints a black square and claims that it symbolizes the government oppression of the former Soviet Union. The art community hails it as a masterpiece and it sells for some ungodly amount of money. I sit there thinking, gee, looks like a black square to me. Wish I would have thought of it first. It just all seems like The Emperors New Clothes to me.

[uecker9]

They should erect a statue for the guy who played "Sticks" Downey, the drummer.http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Sticks was the man.

[radman12484]

Only Milwaukee would come up with the idea of a Fonzie Statue. Now cities are gonna start following Milwaukees lead. Port Washington is gonna put a statue of Patrick Duffy.

San Fransico is gonna put up a Bob Saget and the Olsen Twins.

[Patrick425]

Only Milwaukee would come up with the idea of a Fonzie Statue. Now cities are gonna start following Milwaukees lead. Port Washington is gonna put a statue of Patrick Duffy.

Actually, your not that far off. As mentioned in the J/S article:

 

"TV Land has donated six sculptures commemorating memorable TV events or characters to various cities, including Mary Richards, the main character from "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." Located in downtown Minneapolis, it depicts the well-known shot from the show's opening credits when Mary gleefully tosses her hat in the air."

[temke]

minneapolis already has a mary tyler moore statue...probably where the idea came from

 

http://www.geocities.com/a4theroad/msp/mtm.jpg

[Fatter than Joey]

They should erect a statue for the guy who played "Sticks" Downey, the drummer.

 

I think he became a porno dude

[Thurston Fluff]

Now that these snobby gallery owners have spoken up, I'm more for it. Their quote " it's an icon of mediocre art, something Milwaukee has been plagued with for years."

 

Naturally the only art that counts is that which is approved of by those types are ones done by memebers of their own inner circle. We've got a group like that in Appleton as well. I mean what's the differance between Warhol's soup can and the fonze statue? They both are a reflection of pop culture with little asthetic significance. When I saw the Mona Lisa I actually understood the value purely because it moved me as I gazed upon it. To this day I don't know what made it so impressive I just know it was. The Rembrant museum was similar in that the vivid color contrast and lines or lack thereof was actually worthy on it's own merit regardless of who made it. The statue of David was impressive because of it's depiction of David's reflection on God's glory in the defeat of Goliath vs most statues of the same subject/period which depicted him in battle form glorifying him more than God. (not a religious statement just a statement on the artistic theme) Not to mention it was impressive asthetically.

Now art is more about the person's status in the art community than the actual art. Someday art will go back to grassroots depicting actual beauty of lines and color combined with worthy themes than who goes to the right party.

Thank you your time here's your soapbox back.

[gypcasino]

Naturally the only art that counts is that which is approved of by those types are ones done by memebers of their own inner circle.

"...the Blue Shirt was killed making us an international joke"

 

Sure thing Brenner. What a bunch of rubes we are for letting this super phenomenal chance of a lifetime slip through our fingers.

[TURBO]

I think it's a great idea...

 

Next up, Laverne and Shirley, but they would look incomplete without Lenny "Lone Wolf" and Squiggy...

[Chio151]

I hate it.

[JimH5]

Art can be many things. It doesn't have to be serious and thoughtful, it can be whimsical, rude, bland, beautiful. . .

 

There's nothing wrong with a statue of the Fonz, just as there's nothing wrong with the statue of Rocky in Philadelphia.

 

Count me in favor! Aaaaaayyyyyy!!!!