New Statue of Marilyn Monroe Is Mooning Church Across the Street
- By C Barnett --
- 16 Jun 2018 --
A few found the statue to be disrespectful to the church
Some Connecticut residents are confused about the new Marilyn Monroe art installation[/tweetit] put up in their midst. The back of the 26-foot height statue shows the late actress’ underwear. The statue depicts the iconic scene from the classic movie The Seven Year Itch. The 1955 film scene shows the star holding down her dress as a wayward breeze from a random subway grate blows it up. The statue is the brainchild of artist Seward Johnson.
New Statue of Marilyn Monroe Is Mooning Church Across the Street[/tweetthis]
The statue, named "Forever Marilyn," is one installation among a total of 36 installations done by Johnson. All installations were on loan. They will be displayed in public spaces all throughout summer. These installations are a part of Stamford's program appropriately titled "Art in Public Spaces." Other than Monroe, the statues are life-sized people conducting everyday tasks.
The issue per se is not the statue in question. The hind-side of the installation faces a church. Those who attend First Congregational Church of Stamford enjoy or suffer a complete and uninterrupted view of her behind. Many could argue that the artwork is practically mooning the church.
The sculpture, weighing about 30,000 pounds, forms a part of the summer arts series installed in the central part of Stamford. This installation is fixed inside Latham Park, a public space. The setting of the statue was not consulted with the church. Reverend Todd Yonkman, the senior minister of the church came to know about it from his congregants only after it was installed. Yonkman was on vacation and thus physically unable to verify his congregant's reaction to the statue. He told a media house that the members of his parish had a mixed reaction to the installation: some were upset, some did not care, and some were amused.
Marylin Monroe Statue means She left the Church like a fart in the wind!
— AMY LORRAINE CONDLE (@AmyCondle) June 12, 2018
Those who were upset attributed this to the underwear being prominently visible from the front side of First Congregational Church. They said it disrespected the church. It must be said; however, many of the church members were yet to see this statue as it was installed on June 11 as a component of an art display. Maureen Matthews, a member of the church, said that this statue will surely initiate a conversation among those who see it. She said that some could be offended, but there were, she continued, bigger issues to worry about. Some have expressed offense about children looking up at the skirt.
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