Houdini-inspired landmark remains in storage

Chris Cochrane, founder and organizer of the Houdini Days festival, sits in front of the “Metamorphosis” landmark at Houdini Plaza in Appleton in this 2004 photograph . (PHOTO: Post-Crescent Media)

Before the new year, I told you about two unique landmarks in Clintonville and Neenah.

Clintonville long has claimed to have a portion of the Great Wall of China, though I learned the collection of bricks and stone pillars at Pioneer Park most likely came from a city wall near Canton in South China. Neenah, meanwhile, has an Honest John missile on Tullar Road that serves as a mascot of the Neenah Rockets.

I asked you to tell me about other extraordinary landmarks that make a community special. I received a smattering of responses, with readers mentioning the World's Largest Six Pack in La Crosse, the World’s Largest Muskie in Hayward, the bronze Fonzie statue in Milwaukee and the grotto in Dickeyville.

One response, though, hit closer to home. Anne Glasner of Appleton said everything Houdini — Houdini Plaza, Houdini's Escape Gastropub, Houdini at the History Museum at the Castle — makes her hometown special.

"But the most signal landmark is our Common Council's magic which made the marvelous 'Metamorphosis' landmark disappear!" Glasner said. "Maybe the council magicians could cause the stone blocks ("Fox River Oracle" by Dmitri Hadzi) at the Skyline Bridge to vanish and be replaced by the more meaningful 'Metamorphosis.'"

Richard C. Wolter's "Metamorphosis" sculpture is a tribute to illusionist Harry Houdini's famous trick in which he escaped from a chain-bound trunk. The metal artwork anchored Houdini Plaza from 1985 to 2010, when it was removed because the base was deteriorating. It is in storage at the Appleton parks and recreation facility at Memorial Park.

Chad Doran, Appleton's communications coordinator, said the sculpture is probably too large to fit with the current configuration and use of Houdini Plaza.

"There have been various discussions about where it could go, but nothing has really come about for it yet," Doran said.

Glasner thinks it should be returned to public view in short order.

"It's just kind of playful and fun," she said. "Public art, like the dancers in City Park, should be understood and pointed to with pride. I think a lot of people enjoyed the 'Metamorphosis.' It's a gorgeous piece of public art."

Duke Behnke: 920-993-7176, or dbehnke@postcrescent.com; on Twitter @DukeBehnke