DLNews Art:
Since its return in 2021, the Forever Marilyn statue has become controversial in Palm Springs. While some residents and business owners welcomed its return, others have worked to have it removed. Some have even filed lawsuits to try to block its presence again. However, the city council has decided that the statue will remain in place until at least 2024.
The sculpture, created by Seward Johnson, depicts Marilyn Monroe in her iconic white dress from the 1955 movie "The Seven Year Itch." However, some residents are offended by the statue, seeing it objectifying an icon and women in general. A petition on Change.org has gathered over 48,000 signatures to have the sculpture removed from its current location outside the Palm Springs Art Museum.
The controversy over the 26-foot statue has become more complex as two city council members were disqualified from discussing or voting on it due to state campaign finance laws. During a closed session on November 9 to consider litigation regarding the statue's location, council members Lisa Middleton and Christy Holstege were not allowed to participate in discussions or votes due to these laws.
The Committee to Relocate Marilyn, led by fashion designer Trina Turk and Modernist design collector Chris Menrad, has filed a lawsuit against the city to have the statue relocated. Their claim states that closing Museum Way for three years to house the statue violates local, state, and federal law. They also argue that no environmental impact assessment was conducted before closing the street for the statue's installation.
News Staff
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Arts & Culture
Palm Springs
Marilyn Monroe Statue
Seward Johnson
Trina Turk
Chris Menrad
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