Giant Marilyn Monroe Sculpture Sparks Controversy in Palm Springs

Truce Reached in Battle Over Art

A truce has been reached in a battle that pitted admirers of the city's art museum against fans of a giant Marilyn Monroe sculpture. The city council has worked out a tentative agreement to move the lightning rod of a sculpture to a new location.

Seven-Year Itch Scratched

After seven years, Palm Springs, California, is about to scratch its Marilyn Monroe itch. The 26ft-tall, 15-ton sculpture by Seward Johnson, an heir to the Johnson & Johnson fortune, was created in 2011 and has been a source of controversy ever since.

The statue, modeled after a scene from Monroe's 1955 film "The Seven Year Itch," was originally placed in front of the Palm Springs Art Museum. But the museum's neighbors objected to the statue, saying it was too large and out of place.

The city council agreed and voted to move the statue to a new location. The new site has not yet been announced but is expected to be in a more appropriate setting.

Conclusion

The controversy over the Marilyn Monroe sculpture highlights the challenges that cities face when trying to balance the needs of different stakeholders. In this case, the city council had to weigh the wishes of the museum's neighbors against the desires of those who wanted to see the statue remain in its current location. Ultimately, the council was able to reach a compromise that will satisfy both sides.