Thursday, June 13, 2013

Dirty Marilyn



The 26-foot Forever Marilyn by sculptor Seward Johnson is staying in Palm Springs for the summer on an extension of its original one-year loan.



The desert can be a harsh, weathering climate, and Marilyn has started to look a bit like an old desert rat, with chipped polish on her toenails. "At least the fire department came out and hosed her down recently," Palm Springs resident Steven Wibben told me. "We were starting to call her Dirty Marilyn."



Wibben also related how a local TV news crew had been at the statue early this morning to film a segment on the upcoming gay marriage ruling at the Supreme Court. This is a case of more than casual interest to the burgeoning retired gay population who are dealing with the issues of shared property and death in Palm Springs. The local Channel 2 news station announced today that the Celebration and/or Protest of the Supreme Court's decision would be taking place in front of the Marilyn statue, and by announcing it, they have made it so. Can't wait for the YouTube videos.

6 comments:

  1. I know you didn't post this for me specifically, but I do still appreciate the effort.

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  2. Dear Prof. Hubbard: That final shot was definitely with you in mind.

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  3. I don't know about you, Mike, but the YouTube video I want to see (for some reason) is the firefighters hosing down (up?) Marilyn.

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  4. Dear AphotoAday: Your wish is my command. Here's a YouTube link:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQqCSSwKjic

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  5. Thanks Mike, that was great!

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  6. Oh, god, here's hoping the desert climate completely destroys this abomination.

    I have a loathing for Johnson's horrible sculptures that burns hotter than 1,000 suns. Ugh.

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