Marilyn Monroe - a photo on Flickriver

Marilyn Monroe

            Downtown Chicago

The dress is really much whiter than it looks here. The processing changed the color.

By CHRIS BURY (@ChrisBuryABC) and JULIE NA 
Aug. 9, 2011
Marilyn Monroe, in her iconic white dress, is catching a breeze in the Windy City and drawing some controversy. 

At 26-feet, a towering sculpture of Monroe's famous pose from the film "The Seven Year Itch" was unveiled on Chicago's Magnificent Mile. In the film, Monroe's dress billows as she passes over a subway grate. 

But the giant re-creation at Pioneer Court of that famous scene is raising eyebrows by revealing too much Marilyn for some people. 

The sculpture, entitled "Forever Marilyn" by artist J. Seward Johnson, leaves little to the imagination. The crowd at the plaza can go around to the side and at the back of the sculpture, see Monroe's lace panties. 

Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
J. Seward Johnson's "Forever Marilyn" statue... View Full Size
 
Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
J. Seward Johnson's "Forever Marilyn" statue sits at Pioneer Court, July 25, 2011, in Chicago. Who Stole the Andy Warhols? Watch Video 
'The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe' Watch Video 
The panties on the icon have drawn a buzz and some controversy, claiming it is tacky and even offensive. 

"There's no getting around the fact that that's a sexual image," said Bren Ortega Murphy, a professor of women's studies at Loyola University. "Of all the images that we could choose from, why do we keep coming up with that?" 

But some think it's an honest work of art with a bit of humor. They see no harm in a bold, even brazen attempt to attract more tourists. 

"It's so funny that you can actually see the underwear," German tourist Katie Taut said. "I like it." 

Despite the wide spectrum of opinions, Melissa Farell of Zeller Realty, the company that commissioned the sculpture, said the company is glad the art is drawing diverse reactions. 

"We like the fact that people are talking about it," Farell said. "That it's sparking a dialogue, good or bad." 

Regardless of the dialogue, there is no denying that nobody is having their picture taken as much in Chicago as Marilyn Monroe. She will remain in the plaza along Michigan Avenue until next spring, where she will be remembered larger than life.

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[What's This?]EmailPrintShareComment & ContributeDo you have more information about this topic? If so, please click here to contact the editors of ABC News. zarahdoan
11:28 AM EDT
Aug 10, 2011what is too much? It's art, too much for some may be too little for others. leave artists alone!klberkey
4:33 PM EDT
Aug 09, 2011Oh good lord! You mean to tell me that people have no sense of life to them? This is a wonderful piece of art. There is nothing wrong with it. Gosh, if it had been showing more than her underwear then there would be an issue but good grief. People need to get a grip and learn how to just enjoy life. We only get to live once and it only lasts for so long.


   

Taken in: United States / Illinois / Chicago (show map)

Taken on: July 29, 2011

Sets appears in: • Vacation pics

Groups appears in: • Orrori e deliri urbani - Street photography • Explore Chicago more » • _The Best Of Nikon_ • !GoLDeN aRT°ONLY INVITE!!!+25 faves(p1/c2and FAVE)SWEEPER runs • "GABRIGROUP" • LA MIA IMMAGINE E LA SUA POESIA • "TRA REALTà E SOGNO" ♪ • ! * Improvvisa ispirazione" ஐ • "Il sole,lo porti tu" • Nikon D3100,D3200, D3300,D5100,D5200,D5300,D7000,D7100 group • Photoshop Elements 9 • PANEM ET CIRCENSES / BREAD AND CIRCUSES-P1/C1 • Statues, Sculptures and Urban Art « less

Camera: Nikon D3100, f/8.0, 1/1000 sec, 65mm (=97mm), ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D3100
Aperture:	f/8.0
Exposure Time:	0.001 sec (1/1000)
Focal Length:	65mm (35mm equivalent: 97mm)
ISO:	100
Exposure Bias:	-1/3 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	Elements Organizer 9.0
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