Hold onto your hats, folks, because we’ve got a real doozy of a story for you today. Imagine a beloved icon, forever immortalized in a 26-foot statue that’s been both adored and reviled. That’s right; we’re talking about none other than the legendary Marilyn Monroe, whose statue in Palm Springs has been at the center of a hot debate. Let’s delve into this whirlwind tale, shall we?
The statue, known as “Forever Marilyn,” is bigger than life—literally. Weighing in at 26 feet tall, this behemoth captures the infamous scene from 1955’s “The Seven Year Itch,” where Monroe’s white dress billows up over a subway grate. Sounds iconic, right? Well, not everyone thought so. What was supposed to be a nostalgic tribute turned into a battleground for modern-day political correctness and community standards.
Placed prominently next to a downtown park, this sculpture was meant to be a tourist magnet, and it certainly got people talking—just not in the way anyone anticipated. The town’s local critics raised eyebrows over the pose, calling it “sexist” and labeling it inappropriate for children. “Think of the children!” they cried, and the outcry grew louder and louder.
So, what got everyone so riled up? For starters, there was a whole lot of visible underwear. It was one thing seeing it on the silver screen in the ’50s, but another seeing it blown up to monstrous proportions in your own backyard. Local parents and activists kicked up quite the fuss, arguing that the statue reduced Monroe to nothing more than a sexual object. According to them, it wasn’t ‘celebrating her legacy’ but rather ‘desecrating it.’
Palm Springs Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein attempted to ease tensions by announcing the statue’s relocation within the park, though its new, less prominent spot has yet to be unveiled. “The City Council is very pleased to have found a satisfactory solution to this issue,” said Bernstein, with the calm assurance of someone who’s tired of fielding angry phone calls.
If you think this controversy is new, think again. The statue originally made its grand debut in 2014 but had to be removed back then due to similar complaints. It made a triumphant return in 2021, only to be met once again with disdain. Former Palm Springs Art Museum executive director Louis Grachos was among the vocal critics. He argued that the positioning of Monroe’s backside and underwear for public view was a peak example of misogyny.
Elizabeth Armstrong, another ex-museum director, went as far as to call it “a monument to misogyny,” suggesting it perpetuated harmful attitudes toward women and encouraged voyeurism. Kind of harsh, isn’t it? But, hey, everyone’s got an opinion.
The local protests were nothing short of fervent. Activists waved signs and started a Change.org petition demanding the statue’s removal or at least a move to beneath the “concrete dinosaurs” of Cabazon, turning it from a central monument into a quirky roadside attraction. Gotta love democracy in action.
Yet, for every hater, there was a lover. Scott White, the indefatigable president and CEO of Visit Greater Palm Springs, defended the statue’s value like it was a family heirloom. “It was immediately embraced by visitors,” he stated, emphasizing that the statue had been a boon for tourism. To put their money where their mouth is, P.S. Resorts plonked down a cool $1 million to acquire the statue in 2021. Not chump change, that’s for sure.
Despite the impending relocation, the statue remains a flashpoint in broader discussions about art, public spaces, and societal values. The tug-of-war over “Forever Marilyn” offers a perfect snapshot of today’s politically charged climate, where every public symbol is scrutinized, debated, and either embraced or cast out.
So, next time you find yourself strolling through Palm Springs, craning your neck to spot a larger-than-life Marilyn, remember that you’re looking at more than just a statue; you’re seeing a cultural battleground. And in a world full of polarizing opinions, maybe, just maybe, that’s what makes it art.
