Forever Marilyn (2011, 2021)
Seward Johnson
DESCRIPTION: 29.5-foot high by 17-foot by 18-foot, 24,000-pound, cast aluminum with stainless steel monumental sculpture of Marilyn Monroe
This Seward Johnson sculpture was a temporary public artwork from 2012-2014. Johnson produced five Forever Marilyn sculptures as part of his larger series entitled "Icons Revisited," each with minor variations. It is unclear whether the earlier 2012 sculpture is the same copy as this 2021 installation (no reference is made to a series number). The Seward Johnson Atelier lists the sculpture as 354 inches (29.5 feet) high.
The sculpture's iconic pose was based on a photograph by Bernard of Hollywood on the set of the film "The Seven Year Itch." According to P.S. Resorts which sponsored the permanent acquisition of the artwork, Monroe had a rich history in Palm Springs dating back to 1949 when she was "discovered" at Charlie Farrell's Racquet Club by talent agent Johnny Hyde and later with a home in the Vista Las Palmas neighborhood.
This Seward Johnson sculpture was a temporary public artwork from 2012-2014. Johnson produced five Forever Marilyn sculptures as part of his larger series entitled "Icons Revisited," each with minor variations. It is unclear whether the earlier 2012 sculpture is the same copy as this 2021 installation (no reference is made to a series number). The Seward Johnson Atelier lists the sculpture as 354 inches (29.5 feet) high.
The sculpture's iconic pose was based on a photograph by Bernard of Hollywood on the set of the film "The Seven Year Itch." According to P.S. Resorts which sponsored the permanent acquisition of the artwork, Monroe had a rich history in Palm Springs dating back to 1949 when she was "discovered" at Charlie Farrell's Racquet Club by talent agent Johnny Hyde and later with a home in the Vista Las Palmas neighborhood.
LOCATION: Museum Way and Belardo Road, Palm Springs, California, USA
2021 PERMANENT LOCATION APPROX. 350 FEET IN FRONT OF THE PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM:
2011 TEMPORARY LOCATION SOUTH OF THE PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM:
