Hollywood has seen many icons, but perhaps no one can match the grace that Marilyn Monroe carries even in her statues and pictures. The iconic actress is not among us today, but her fans continue to love and worship her through pictures, paintings, and statues. Besides, her aura continues to inspire many young and old actresses alike.
The ‘Forever Marilyn‘ statue is a towering 26-foot depiction of Marilyn Monroe’s famous billowing skirt scene from ‘The Seven Year Itch‘ downtown in Palm Springs. One of the most iconic tributes to the star, the statue has been in the headlines for being in a controversial location. However, it is now set to be relocated from its spot. Here’s all about it and why exactly its location is controversial.
Why Is Marilyn Monroe’s Palm Springs Statue Controversial?
The Marilyn Monroe statue in Palm Springs, created by artist Seward Johnson, has sparked debate for years because of its placement directly in front of the Palm Springs Art Museum. As the statue in Monroe’s iconic billowing skirt pose, several critics including past museum directors have labeled it “blatantly sexist” and argued that it objectifies women.
For years, the statue’s placement has been offering museum-goers an unavoidable view of Monroe’s underwear-clad backside. However, after consistent protests, Palm Springs Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein has announced that the statue will be moved to a new location within the Downtown Park. The exact location has however not been revealed yet.
In his statement, Bernstein said he was personally satisfied with the decision. “The City Council is very pleased to have found a satisfactory solution to this issue, which has divided so many within our community,” he said.
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What’s Next For The Iconic Statue?
The ‘Forever Marilyn‘ statue is not just any other statue — it has a storied history of travel including stints in Chicago, New Jersey, Australia, and Connecticut. The massive statue returned to Palm Springs in 2021, much to the dismay of local activists and critics.
Despite a unanimous city council vote for its placement, the public outcry was immediate. The backlash escalated even leading to protests erupting during its unveiling.
The City Council had previously agreed to keep the statue in its current location for three years, starting in 2021. However, with the recent decision to relocate it, community members like Trina Turk, organizer of the Committee to Relocate Marilyn GoFundMe, remain cautiously optimistic.
“We will not consider this a done deal until the statue is moved to its new location,” Turk stated, noting that several details still need to be resolved. The new site within Downtown Park remains to be officially announced.
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