A 26-foot statue of Marilyn Monroe by sculptor Seward Johnson has once again sparked controversy among the elite residents of Palm Springs. The “Forever Marilyn” statue depicts Monroe in the famous white dress from the 1955 film “The Seven Year Itch,” with the hem lifted as if standing over a subway grate. Residents are upset with the statue’s “provocative” nature, particularly the lifted dress that reveals Monroe’s undergarments from some angles.
The statue was installed last year near the Palm Springs Museum of Art but faced protests in 2021 over claims that it was “misogyny in disguise,” “derivative,” and “in poor taste.” An activist group called CReMa (Committee to Relocate Marilyn) filed a lawsuit against the City of Palm Springs, which has now been reopened by California’s 4th District Court of Appeals. The suit centers around the City’s right to close the street on which the statue was installed, with the City planning to block traffic for three years. However, the court ruled that the city does not have the power to close public streets for such extended periods.
There have been suggestions regarding where the statue should be relocated, including near some concrete dinosaurs in Cabazon, where it could exist as a “campy roadside attraction.” The statue was purchased in 2020 by PS Resorts, a City-funded tourist agency to boost tourism in Palm Springs. The City Council voted unanimously in 2021 for the statue’s placement near the museum.
As the debate over the statue continues, opinions are divided among the residents of Palm Springs. While some view the statue as an inappropriate representation of a cultural icon, others argue that it is a significant work of art that should be preserved. The reopened lawsuit has brought the issue back into the spotlight, and it remains to be seen what the outcome will be.
Regardless of the outcome, the statue has sparked important conversations about representation, gender, and the role of art in public spaces. While some may find it offensive, others see it as a tribute to Monroe and her enduring cultural impact. Regardless of one’s personal opinion, the statue has become a topic of discussion and has added to the rich cultural landscape of Palm Springs.
