After years of heated debate and legal wrangling, the iconic Forever Marilyn statue, a beloved yet divisive fixture of the Palm Springs tourist scene, is finally set to move. This 26-foot tribute to Marilyn Monroe’s famous skirt-blowing scene from the 1955 classic “The Seven Year Itch” has been a lightning rod for controversy since its return to Palm Springs in 2021.
A Monumental Dispute
Standing tall in the middle of Downtown Park, with Monroe’s sculpted back facing the Palm Springs Art Museum, the statue has drawn mixed reactions from locals and visitors alike. The controversy surrounding its placement has seen community members, art critics, and city officials at odds.
Palm Springs Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein recently announced the decision to relocate the statue within the park’s 1.5-acre boundaries. “The City Council is very pleased to have found a satisfactory solution to this issue, which has divided so many within our community,” he stated.
Fashion Designer Leads the Charge
Trina Turk, a renowned fashion designer, has been at the forefront of the movement to relocate the statue. She spearheaded a GoFundMe campaign that raised over $115,000 to lobby for the statue’s move. In a recent post, Turk expressed cautious optimism about the decision, stating, “There are still many details to be resolved, and a legally binding agreement to be worked out. We will not consider this a done deal until the statue is moved to its new location.
History of the Icon
The Forever Marilyn statue, created by artist Seward Johnson, left Palm Springs in 2014 only to make a grand return in 2021. Times art critic Christopher Knight famously quipped, “Good news because good riddance,” upon its initial departure.
The statue’s 2021 return reignited the debate over its placement. Palm Springs Art Museum director Louis Grachos voiced concerns, particularly about the statue’s backside facing the museum, which schoolchildren would pass on their way to the entrance. Critics like Knight labeled the statue as sexist and inappropriate for such a prominent location.
Community Divided
Despite the City Council approving the statue’s downtown location for three years starting in 2021, the controversy never abated. Knight’s scathing critique described the statue’s return as “an anti-queer slur lifted high onto a civic pedestal in one of America’s least likely places.”
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Not everyone is pleased with the decision to relocate the statue. Palm Springs residents and tourists have taken to social media to express their disappointment. One commenter lamented, “Tourists love taking photos there,” while another added, “It’s a shame you caved to the pressure to relocate her.
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FAQs
Why is the Forever Marilyn statue being moved?
The statue is being moved due to ongoing controversy and criticism regarding its placement in front of the Palm Springs Art Museum, which some found inappropriate and offensive.
Who led the effort to relocate the statue?
Fashion designer Trina Turk led the campaign to move the statue, raising over $115,000 through a GoFundMe campaign to lobby the city for its relocation.
What are the criticisms against the statue?
Critics argue that the statue is sexist and inappropriate for its prominent location, with some labeling it an eyesore and offensive, particularly for schoolchildren visiting the nearby art museum.
Where will the statue be moved?
The statue will be relocated within Downtown Park in Palm Springs, though the exact new location within the park has yet to be determined.
What was the public reaction to the move?
The public reaction has been mixed, with some supporting the move due to the statue’s controversial nature, while others are disappointed, feeling that the statue is a beloved tourist attraction.
Who created the Forever Marilyn statue?
The statue was created by artist Seward Johnson and depicts Marilyn Monroe in her iconic pose from the 1955 film “The Seven Year Itch.
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