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Jim Young / Reuters
A 26-foot tall statue of Marilyn Monroe is separated into four pieces in Chicago on May 7, 2012.
NBC Chicago reports — A 40,000-pound, 26-foot statue of Marilyn Monroe's famous pose from "The Seven-Year Itch" was dismantled Monday night in preparation for the long drive to its new home in California.
The initially controversial "Forever Marilyn" creation by Seward Johnson was unveiled last July. She now heads to Palm Springs, where the actress was discovered by a Hollywood agent.
Video: Late, insecure and easily offended — Memories of Marilyn
It's a bittersweet moment for some who viewed Monroe's iconic, skirt-billowing pose as sexist. One website, VirtualTourist.com, ranked her the worst piece of public art in the world.
Rare photos of Marilyn Monroe six weeks before her death
VirtualTourist also questioned why a likeness of the star's famous, New York City-based stance was placed in Chicago and said the towering, blown dress forced many to peer up at Marilyn's panties.
Marilyn's 'subway' dress sets new record at auction
The statue will be installed in Palm Springs by the end of May, where it is expected to stay in place until June 2013.
Jim Young / Reuters
Jim Young / Reuters
Jim Young / Reuters
A collection of photographs and memorabilia from Marilyn's longtime makeup artist, Allan "Whitey" Snyder," is set for auction.
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In our zeal not to be sexist, let us not deny we are sexual beings, or the beauty of the human form.
That was such a cool fun statute. I hope they bring Sinatra or Kennedy or somebody else famous next.
In my quest to be respected as a decent American female that has lived under substantial oppression that witnessed the same of my mother and grandmother before me - let me say to you my friend that your support for this offensive statute is evidence that the United States worships subjugation of women. That offense is worsening.
I was often told when younger that my body resembled Marilyn Monroe's and that offended me because it was what was noticed first over and above my high intellect.
You disgust me.
Somehow, I doubt it. It's usually the ugly ones that bitch because they are not getting any attention.
I wish I could have voted for your post more than once, Barry. I was thinking exactly the same thing.
I have some great pics of me underneath that statue. They are quite funny! Bye Marilyn, you are gorgeous!
"I was often told when younger that my body resembled Marilyn Monroe's and that offended me because it was what was noticed first over and above my high intellect."
Well your intelligence isn't that visible. When you come up with a method of seeing intelligence before anything else, I'll acknowledge that first.
Holy cow Mackie, you're a walking-talking victem. You've got to get out of that mentality if you are going to enjoy life.
Barry McCocciner
So true! So true! Sounds like a frustrated female who is engaging in wishful thinking.
Mackie--lighten up. You're the whiny type that helps give the gender a bad name.
@Mackie-4741671 This statue fits in with the womens sexual freedoms movement. 90% of the people that hear "all people talk about is my looks, not my intelligence" get the thought in there head of some bleach blonde bimbo who's had more Bondo work on them than a car from Minnesota.
People tried to pay you a compliment, Heaven forbid. I can judge someones looks in about 5 seconds, intelligence is a different matter. I've met plenty of people on the outside seem smart, but when you get to know them they're morons.
Get off your high horse.
I wish my life were as easy and privileged as oppressed/subjugated American women like Mackey. Unfortunately, I am male and live in China.
dumbest statue i've ever unfortunately seen
@ Jeff: You took the words right out of my mouth...
With the multitudes I have met throughout my life, I am thoroughly convinced that when it comes to this subject, the ones complaining the most are more vanity laden than those they rail against...
In Shanghai: Amen(hotep Ra)! Some people never realize just how good they have it...
BooCoo DaBreeze: Simply put, and so correct.
Honestly I dont understand the whole sexist thing.
I thank God I was not born a man, I celebrate my sex. I would hate to have to go through life with a dangly thing hanging off my body , it would be irritating. I love having other parts that have been admired over my life ,
I ran my own business , took care of my family and expected my hubby to do the same ,
I dont get why admiring female or male looks is sexist. Seems like human nature to me , without it there would be no procreation at all .
I heard they're replacing it with one of Bozo the clown.
As far as artwork is concerned, that statue is gaudy. I think California, with it's smoke and mirror show business mentality, is where it belongs. Goodbye Norma Jean.
It was fun to walk past the statute.
It's not a statute, it's a statue!
Sally in Chicago
Statute??
You are not related to Mackie, are you?
People enjoyed the sculpture and I think that is a good thing. Could Chicago have picked a better subject for a piece of prominently displayed public art? Certainly. The images of the dismantling are more profound than the sculpture ever was.
I loved it. Didn't think it was gaudy or sexist. I thought it was fun and awesome.
In my quest to be respected as a decent American female that has lived under substantial oppression that witnessed the same of my mother and grandmother before me - let me say to you my friend that your support for this offensive statute is evidence that the United States worships subjugation of women. That offense is worsening.
I was often told when younger that my body resembled Marilyn Monroe's and that offended me because it was what was noticed first over and above my high intellect.
You disgust me.
Mackie, posting it twice doesn't make your statement any more believable.
Almost sounds like trolling to me.
Never-mind. I replied to a post here but have changed my mind and erased it. I'm entitled.
Lily1221
But it does show she finally figured out mommy's computer. :-)
I think a statue of Oprah and Obama would be more appropriate in Chicago.
And Oprah would cast more shade. Summer's coming!
Windy City! An two exceptional candidates your right!! TV & DC!!!
It's a statue of a real person, a real event and says nothing about women in the current decade. It's not sexist, it's history. There's being P.C. and then there's being stupid.
It is history. We have been whitewashing history for many years now so we don't have to face who we have been. As far as looking at Maryilyn's panties, just walk a mall or beach these days.
The Lindsey Lohan of her day.
Lindsey hasn't slept her way up to the White House, or that we know of. Lindsey doesn't hold a candle to Marilyn.
I have to agree with BooCoo. I'm pretty easily offended when it comes to sexism -- comes from years of working in an overwhelmingly male-dominated workplace -- but I don't find this the least bit offensive. C'mon, people! It's an iconic "snapshot" of an iconic woman, nothing more. Tacky, maybe, and poorly thought out, what with the odd pedestrian viewpoint. But sexist? Nah.
In my quest to be respected as a decent American female that has lived under substantial oppression that witnessed the same of my mother and grandmother before me - let me say to you my friend that your support for this offensive statute is evidence that the United States worships subjugation of women. That offense is worsening.
I was often told when younger that my body resembled Marilyn Monroe's and that offended me because it was what was noticed first over and above my high intellect.
You disgust me.
So, Mackie, you'd rather be ugly and smart than pretty and smart? Has there never been a time where you, wittingly or not, had an advantage from your looks? Nicer looking people just get ahead in this society. I know of plenty of very intelligent women who would kill to have a better physical appearance, because let's face it....looks matter. Whether we like it or not, they matter.
Mackie, 3rd post's a charm? I don't think so. Get over yourself.
Three strikes--you're out. COLLAPSED.
Cali is where she forever belongs anyway. Sorry midwesterners, guess you just don't get it. The west is the best...The west...is the best...Get here, and we'll do the rest... ;-)
chris
Actually midwesterners do get it. That's why it's going.
Cali might be where you think she belongs, but don't accuse midwesterners of not 'getting it'. I am a Chicagoan, and although I now live in St. Petersburg, FL having the same year round weather is not all it's cracked up to be - I miss the change of seasons and I think it makes you more adaptable for living elsewhere. Oh and I've been to California - it's okay, but I hardly think West is the best.
The west coast has more midwesterners and easterners than true people. It's only the weather and some geography that brings them out there.
I just wish a friend of mine would have dictated his memories of Marilyn before he died. He always said that he would never put into writing his Hollywood tales until all those involved were gone, and he departed before he could do that. He was with FOX studios for 30 years, was one of Marilyn's make-up artists (including on her unfinished last film) and one of her personal friends. Oh the tales he would tell, but would never let any of us record them for posterity because of his policy of not putting into print anything about anyone still living.
Like I said, the Lindsey Lohan of her day.
RackNStack
Please don't insult Marilyn like that. Even at her lowest she had more going for her than the play actresses of today.
End game is still the same though.
Seward Johnson creates monumental scupltures of iconic images. "Unconditional Surrender" is a representation of the famous kiss in Times Square on V-J Day. There are copies of it in San Diego and Sarasota, FL. His work may not be fine art, but as commercial art, it is a consistent crowd pleaser.
I think Chicago needs a giant statue of Al Capone anyway.
Al with the Tommy Gun in hand.
Looking up under her dress
Everybody did it. Then everybody would look at each other like they were "caught" or caught somebody. Complete strangers would just grin or chuckle at the other. Totally funny.
Now just hold on a minute .......Did anyone consult with Elton John prior to this move ???
I would have thought all of the residents and tourists in @!$%#cago that look like obamas son would have gotten off looking up a blond white woman's dress, even if it were only a statue.
Tony, they have electricity and computers out there in Wyoming?? Wow.
Next is indoor plumbing. Get ready. Education? Not much. Obama's and not Obamas.
I'm still trying to figure out how a woman living in 2012 can actually claim that a statue of an iconic pose could in any way, shape, or form influence how she thinks others perceive her. Are you really expecting me to believe that the sight of concrete formed into the shape of panties is demeaning to women? Only if you let it be. I'm actually MORE offended by women who snark other women for their religious garb.
Would it have been a little less tacky if it was lifesize? Perhaps. Did it seem like it should be either showcased in Time Square or Hollywood instead of Chicago? Absolutely. But now it's leaving, and before today 1/2 the people on here never even knew it existed.
If they haven't broke the mold; maybe they could make a few more and place them around the country.
It was a iconic star. People who didn't like it picked it apart for what it showed and felt it was indecent. They wouldn't like statues of George Burns holding his infamous trademark, the cigar. Go figure!
Now a Mr. Burns statue, that would be "Excellent"
Marilyn was a skank. Plain and simple. I'll never understand why America spends so much time idolizing some bimbo who had a penchant for drugs and sleeping with married men.
Well now everybody does that today, she was just a trendsetter! Hollywood!!!
i still can not figure out what that piece of 'art' has/had to do with chicago!
she might have changed trains in chicago---- once. but that is about it.
I think it is creepy, the way guys would walk underneath her skirt, between her legs.....
how funny would it be if someone painted racing stripes in her underpants!!!? haaaaa!! i hope i just gave someone a good idea
There will never be another Marilyn Monroe. Certainly hope not!
To those complaining about the statue forcing you to look up at her underskirt, please stop. You and I and everyone else knows that you're not being forced to look up there. You're doing it because you WANT to. Let's be real here, okay?
As far as the statue being sexist, I think that's just a few feminists wishing they looked that good when a gust of wind hits their dress. That pose is what most people think of when the name Marilyn Monroe is uttered(unless your name is John F. Kennedy, then you might be thinking of poses of a different type).
At least Marilyn had the decency to wear panties - look at today's celebrities - no class, not even Ann Hathaway!
How can we be offended by Marilyn when we are surrounded by a lot worse every day. Pants on the ground, breasts falling out and no underwear! I could go on and on. God help us. Women in those days had a lot more decency than they do today.
The statue never could compete with the scene in the movie or a still of that scene. The statue was too cartoonish for an icon like Marilyn Monroe.