this post was submitted on 07 Aug 2024
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And Finally...

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A gigantic statue of Marilyn Monroe in downtown Palm Springs is set to be moved following years of controversy and debate.

The Forever Marilyn statue stands 26 feet tall and depicts the famous billowing skirt scene from 1955’s The Seven Year Itch.

...

Created by artist Seward Johnson and first erected in 2011, the statue has had a troubled history. It left Palm Springs in 2014 and was displayed in Chicago, New Jersey, Australia and Connecticut before returning to Palm Springs in 2021.

At the time, the statue’s return to the city caused uproar. Activist groups protested during the unveiling, and critics described it as “exploitative.”

The placement of the sculpture had been voted for unanimously by the city council, but the last four directors of the art museum publicly opposed and condemned its presence in the area, branding it “blatantly sexist.”

Former Palm Springs Art Museum director Louis Gracho told The Art Newspaper: “You come out of the museum and the first thing you’re going to see is a 26-foot-tall Marilyn Monroe with her entire backside and underwear exposed.

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[–] unexposedhazard@discuss.tchncs.de 40 points 1 month ago (5 children)

Honestly im not sure whats more sexist. Removing it because "indecency" or because "perceived sexism". Are nude greek sculptures inherently super sexist? Or is that fine because those people have been dead for longer?

[–] Coelacanth@feddit.nu 24 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Smells more of puritan sexual moral panic to me than actual concerns about sexism.

[–] SharkEatingBreakfast@sopuli.xyz 6 points 1 month ago (1 children)

The sexual exploitation of Marilyn Monroe during her time in the industry gives this a troubling legacy.

This is not "puritanical ideals" if you know the sad history of what this poor woman was forced to go through during her lifetime.

[–] Coelacanth@feddit.nu 10 points 1 month ago

That's fair, though it seems the outrage in this instance was less about not wanting to celebrate the exploitation of a historical figure and more about not exposing the poor children to the horrific sexual image of a woman's underwear.

indeed it does

[–] hemko@lemmy.dbzer0.com 12 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Are nude greek sculptures inherently super sexist

Yes because small pp. It's very damaging to men's reputation to show such tiny weewees in public

[–] HubertManne@moist.catsweat.com 3 points 1 month ago

hes a grower not a shower

[–] DarkThoughts@fedia.io 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I thought sexy shots like that was what she was known for, no?

I mean you could maybe argue along the lines of "she was coerced into it by the patriarchy" but i dont know enough about her to judge that.

[–] HumanPenguin@feddit.uk 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

I assume the complaint is actually related to attitudes at the time. Greek status etc show nude men and women. Because ancient Greek culture expressed no negativity towards bare breasts or shared nude bathing. So the artwork was never intended to be shocking. Greek Men amd women are known to have often shared public baths naked. And it is believed that women did not overly concern about covering both breasts in public.

Where as the famous scene of Maralin Monroe was set upmby media to cause shock amd offence. Selling the model as a sexial object to be displayed to men who were not culturally expected to see random famous under garments,

[–] ramble81@lemm.ee 18 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Wait till they hear about the Statue of David. Walk in the gallery and get a view of his junk right in your face.

[–] hOrni@lemmy.world 7 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Ever seen a bronze statue of a farm animal?

[–] Emperor@feddit.uk 4 points 1 month ago

This feels like a line cut from Airplane.

[–] Emperor@feddit.uk 18 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (2 children)

You come out of the museum and the first thing you’re going to see is a 26-foot-tall Marilyn Monroe with her entire backside

So the whole ass?

[–] baggins@lemmy.ca 12 points 1 month ago

Promise? 🥺

[–] rossome@lemmy.ml 8 points 1 month ago (2 children)
[–] Technoguyfication@sh.itjust.works 11 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Oh lord, who gives a shit? Her underwear is less revealing than 90% of the swimsuits you see people in at the beach.

[–] Notyou@sopuli.xyz 1 points 1 month ago

Or Olympic athletes. The ladies running track are fast AF.

[–] HubertManne@moist.catsweat.com 5 points 1 month ago

I would still run under if it was raining.

[–] hOrni@lemmy.world 17 points 1 month ago (1 children)

So people in Palm Springs are being shocked by the same things as people in 1955?

[–] Emperor@feddit.uk 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Isn't Palm Springs like 1950s America anyway?

[–] Professorozone@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago

Yes yes it is.

[–] Thcdenton@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago
[–] intensely_human@lemm.ee 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

It’s only visible from under there though

[–] Grass@sh.itjust.works 6 points 1 month ago (1 children)
[–] Trigger2_2000@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 weeks ago

Wait, they put underwear on it?

I'll see myself out.