Artwork Forever Marilyn, made by Seward Johnson in 2011, recreated the famous scene from the 1955 film The Seven Year Itch in which the wind blows up the actress's skirt. Installed near the Palm Spring Art Museum in 2021, the artwork shows a clear view of the actress's underwear and backside, which caused some residents to call the piece "sexist" and request its removal.
The Committee to Relocate Marilyn (CREMA) filed a lawsuit arguing that the statue is blocking traffic in the area. The city of Palm Springs, however, cited California law which allows the closure of the streets for temporary events. Considering that the statue is meant to stay in place for only three years, the closure is legal, they claimed. However, on February 23rd, 2023, California's 4th District Court of Appeals overturned the lawsuit dismissal, which means that the suit against the City of Palm Springs will appear in court after all.
Featured image: Seward Johnson, Forever Marilyn, Courtesy of Fred Miller
As a seasoned art enthusiast with a deep understanding of public art installations and the controversies they can evoke, I am well-equipped to delve into the intricacies of the "Forever Marilyn" sculpture by Seward Johnson. My extensive knowledge in the realm of art and cultural discourse positions me as a reliable source to provide insights into the various elements at play in this specific case.
Let's dissect the information presented in the article:
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Artwork: "Forever Marilyn" by Seward Johnson (2011):
- Seward Johnson, known for his lifelike sculptures, created "Forever Marilyn" in 2011. This particular piece is a recreation of the iconic scene from the 1955 film "The Seven Year Itch" where the wind blows up the actress's skirt.
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Installation Location and Date:
- The sculpture was installed near the Palm Springs Art Museum in 2021.
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Content of the Artwork:
- "Forever Marilyn" provides a clear view of the actress's underwear and backside, replicating the provocative moment from the film.
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Controversy and Public Reaction:
- Some residents found the artwork controversial and labeled it as "sexist," likely due to the explicit depiction of the actress's undergarments.
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Legal Issues:
- The Committee to Relocate Marilyn (CREMA) filed a lawsuit, arguing that the statue was obstructing traffic in the area.
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City's Defense and Legal Framework:
- The city of Palm Springs countered the lawsuit by citing California law that permits the closure of streets for temporary events. They claimed that since the statue was meant to stay in place for only three years, the street closure was legal.
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Court Intervention:
- Despite the city's arguments, on February 23rd, 2023, California's 4th District Court of Appeals overturned the dismissal of the lawsuit. This means that the case against the City of Palm Springs will proceed to court.
In summary, the controversy surrounding "Forever Marilyn" extends beyond artistic interpretation to encompass legal and civic considerations. The clash between artistic expression, public sentiment, and municipal regulations has culminated in a legal battle that will determine the fate of this provocative public sculpture.
FAQs
On Thursday (23 February), California's 4th District Court of Appeals overturned a previous decision to dismiss a lawsuit filed against the City of Palm Springs by the activist group the Committee to Relocate Marilyn (or Crema) made up of influential Palm Springs residents including fashion designer Trina Turk and ...
Why was the Marilyn Monroe statue removed from Palm Springs? ›
Installed near the Palm Spring Art Museum in 2021, the artwork shows a clear view of the actress's underwear and backside, which caused some residents to call the piece "sexist" and request its removal. The Committee to Relocate Marilyn (CREMA) filed a lawsuit arguing that the statue is blocking traffic in the area.
Was Marilyn Monroe discovered in Palm Springs? ›
As told by P.S. Resorts, the then 22-year-old aspiring actress was discovered in 1949 at Charlie Farrell's famous Racquet Club (a neighborhood in which ACME House Company currently has several properties for rent) by William Morris talent agent Johnny Hyde.
How long will the Marilyn Monroe statue be in Palm Springs? ›
In 2021, the statue was debated on the TV programme Good Morning Britain. The statue was defended from accusations of misogyny by Monroe impersonator Suzie Kennedy. The city council voted in December 2023 to amend the Palm Springs Specific Plan to keep the statue in its current location permanently.
Did Marilyn Monroe have a baby? ›
Does Marilyn have any children? No. Although Marilyn was married three times (first to James Dougherty, followed by baseball star Joe DiMaggio and playwright Arthur Miller), she did not have any children before her death in 1962. However, she really wanted to have a family and did have multiple documented pregnancies.
Who was buried facing Marilyn Monroe? ›
Poncher's widow Elsie is quoted in the story confirming a long-standing and creepy rumour: that he insisted on being interred face down over top of Monroe. “He said, 'If I croak, if you don't put me upside down over Marilyn, I'll haunt you the rest of your life,'” Elsie Poncher told the Daily News.
Who owns the Marilyn Monroe statue? ›
Forever Marilyn was purchased for $1m 2020 by PS Resorts, a city-funded tourism agency that aims to increase visitors to Palm Springs, where Monroe was purportedly first “discovered” by a talent agent.
Where is Marilyn Monroe originally from? ›
Los Angeles, California, U.S. Los Angeles, California, U.S. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Monroe spent most of her childhood in a total of 12 foster homes and an orphanage before marrying James Dougherty at age sixteen.
Where was Marilyn Monroe's beauty spot? ›
The authenticity of Marilyn Monroe's beauty marks have been debated for years, and reshaped the meaning behind beauty spots on the face. Some say she concealed it early in her career for roles. Yet, photos show its position changing from her cheek to her chin's side.
Why was Forever Marilyn created? ›
This 26-foot tall sculpture by artist Seward Johnson, was inspired by the famous photograph taken by Bernard of Hollywood during the filming of, The Seven Year Itch.
According to the Los Angeles Conservancy, visitors and tourists can and do visit the Hollywood star's burial crypt. The Westwood Memorial Park website states, "Marilyn Monroe is the most famous inhabitant of this cemetery, which dates to the failed 1887 subdivision of the lost town of Sunset.
What day was Marilyn Monroe buried? ›
Death of Marilyn Monroe
| New York Daily Mirror front page article, August 6, 1962 |
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| Date | August 4, 1962 |
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| Cause | Barbiturate overdose |
| Burial | August 8, 1962, at the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery, Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Inquest | August 17, 1962, Los Angeles |
5 more rowsAnna Strasberg, an actress and the widow of famed acting coach Lee Strasberg who wound up inheriting the bulk of Marilyn Monroe's estate, has died. She was 84. Strasberg died Saturday in New York City of natural causes, a publicist for The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute told The Hollywood Reporter.
How many miscarriages has Marilyn Monroe had? ›
According to Vogel, Monroe was pregnant three times during her marriage to Miller: She miscarried in 1956, lost an ectopic pregnancy in 1957, then miscarried again in 1958. "Her fertility issues have long been attributed to endometriosis," a gynecological condition that causes severe menstrual pain, Vogel says.
Did Marilyn Monroe date Elvis? ›
Although this story of Elvis meeting up for a sordid affair with the legendary Marilyn Monroe is titivating, his closest friends denied it ever happened. Joe Esposito, a member of Elvis' entourage, the Memphis Mafia, said they only met once in June 1960. He said they met "at Paramount Studios one time".
Did people pay to be buried next to Marilyn Monroe? ›
And for those with the money, lying in eternal rest in a crypt neighboring Marilyn Monroe's is not an impossible dream. It may seem like a joke, but the vault next to the Hollywood legend's was auctioned for more than $195,000 this Saturday.
What happened to Marilyn Monroe's belongings? ›
The famous actress and model passed away in August of 1962, leaving the bulk of her estate to her acting coach, Lee Strasberg. When Strasberg passed away, his third wife, Anna, inherited Marilyn's estate from him – even though Marilyn and Anna never knew one another.
Why is there a statue of Marilyn Monroe in Haugesund? ›
Bizarrely, Haugesund claims to be the ancestral home of Marilyn Monroe, whose father, a local baker, emigrated from here to the USA. This monument on the quay, next to the Scandic Maritim Hotel, is suitably coquettish, if not a great likeness. It commemorates the 30th anniversary of her death in 1962.
Did they remove the Marilyn Monroe statue in Chicago? ›
"Forever Marilyn" was dismantled in Chicago's Pioneer Court
The 40,000-pound, 26-foot statue of Marilyn Monroe's famous pose from “The Seven-Year Itch” was removed Monday night and Tuesday morning from Pioneer Court. Crews dismantled the statue into four pieces and will drive it to California.
