“Marilyn Monroe was a symbol of glamour and sensuality, but beneath that image, she was a complex woman of great depth and sensitivity.” — Elizabeth Taylor
A towering statue of Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe, which has been the center of controversy in Palm Springs, is set to be moved following widespread public outcry. The 26-foot-tall sculpture, known as “Forever Marilyn,” is a recreation of the famous scene from the 1955 classic film “The Seven Year Itch,” where Monroe’s dress billows up as she stands over a subway grate in New York City. While the statue is a homage to one of the most iconic moments in cinematic history, it has sparked a heated debate in the local community, with critics arguing that it is inappropriate and sexist.
26-foot Marilyn Monroe statue in Palm Springs set to be moved following controversy https://t.co/5MAVgkWWGb
— Insider Entertainment (@insiderent) August 10, 2024
The statue, created by sculptor Seward Johnson in 2011, has traveled across various locations in the United States and even overseas in Australia before finding its way back to Palm Springs in 2021. It was purchased for $1 million by the Palm Springs-based tourism group PS Resorts in 2020, with the intention of boosting local tourism. However, its return to Palm Springs was met with immediate backlash.
Positioned at the edge of Downtown Park, adjacent to the Palm Springs Art Museum, the statue’s prominent placement has drawn the ire of many residents and visitors alike. Some critics have gone as far as to describe the statue as a symbol of misogyny, arguing that it objectifies Monroe and encourages inappropriate behavior. Protesters have held demonstrations, brandishing signs with slogans like “It’s not nostalgia, it’s misogyny” and “Marilyn anywhere but here.”
“She had an innocence about her, but there was something more—something that the camera caught but couldn’t quite define.” — Billy Wilder, Director
Emiliana Guereca, founder of the Women’s March Foundation, voiced her concerns about the statue’s implications, stating, “The 26-foot-tall ‘statue’ of Marilyn Monroe is designed for viewers to walk in between the legs, look up her dress, and snap a picture of her crotch or buttocks for fun. It is sexist, exploitative, and misogynistic. Even in death, Marilyn has no peace.”
The controversy escalated to the point where a lawsuit was filed against the city, pressuring officials to reconsider the statue’s location. After much deliberation, the Palm Springs City Council has decided to relocate the statue to a different spot within Downtown Park, although the exact location has yet to be determined. The decision aims to address the concerns raised by the community while still preserving the statue as a cultural attraction.
“Marilyn Monroe was more than a movie star; she was a cultural icon who redefined what it meant to be a sex symbol in America.” — Andy Warhol
Palm Springs Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein expressed relief at finding a solution that he hopes will appease both sides of the debate. “The City Council is very pleased to have found a satisfactory solution to this issue, which has divided so many within our community,” Bernstein said in a statement. He further explained that the statue would be moved to “a location to be determined in the Downtown Park.”
A 26-foot-tall Marilyn Monroe statue, modeled after one of her most famous scenes from “The Seven Year Itch,” is set to be moved yet again after three years in Palm Springs, California — but this time it won’t be going too far.https://t.co/XRdrOSFXLb
— WETM-TV (@WETM18News) August 9, 2024
While some residents and visitors may be disappointed by the move, others see it as a necessary step towards creating a more respectful and inclusive environment in Palm Springs. The relocation of “Forever Marilyn” represents a broader conversation about how public art can impact a community and the importance of considering diverse perspectives in such decisions.
As the city plans for the statue’s new placement, the debate surrounding “Forever Marilyn” serves as a reminder of the enduring complexities of balancing artistic expression with cultural sensitivity. The relocation may not fully resolve the controversy, but it signifies a willingness to address the concerns of a changing community.
Quotes
- “Her beauty was only a part of her magic. Marilyn had a vulnerability that made you want to protect her, yet a strength that made her unforgettable.” — Arthur Miller, Playwright and Former Husband
- “Marilyn Monroe’s star burned bright, and though her life was tragically short, her influence on popular culture is everlasting.” — Madonna
- “She was a dream. Not just in her looks, but in the way she moved and spoke. Everything about her was like a fantasy come to life.” — Joe DiMaggio, Baseball Legend and Former Husband
- “Marilyn was a gentle, loving person who often hid her true self behind the image the world expected of her.” — Hugh Hefner
- “To this day, Marilyn Monroe remains the quintessential symbol of Hollywood’s golden age—a timeless figure of beauty and mystery.” — Steven Spielberg
Key Poins:
i. Community Uproar: The 26-foot “Forever Marilyn” statue in Palm Springs, depicting Marilyn Monroe in a famous scene from “The Seven Year Itch,” has been the subject of controversy since its return in 2021, with locals deeming it inappropriate and sexist.
ii. Decision to Move: Following complaints and a lawsuit, the city has decided to move the statue to another location within Downtown Park, away from its current spot next to the Palm Springs Art Museum.
iii. Public Response: The statue has sparked protests, with critics labeling it as misogynistic and exploitative, particularly because of the way it invites viewers to look up Monroe’s dress.
iv. Historical Context: The statue, created by Seward Johnson in 2011, has been displayed in various locations worldwide before being purchased by the Palm Springs-based tourism group PS Resorts for $1 million in 2020.
v. City’s Resolution: Palm Springs Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein expressed satisfaction in finding a solution to the divisive issue, indicating that the new location within Downtown Park is yet to be determined.
Charles William III – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
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