Marilyn in Palm Springs

Summary

The website content discusses the iconic status of Marilyn Monroe, her influence on Palm Springs as embodied by the "Forever Marilyn" statue, and the history behind the famous skirt-blowing scene from "The Seven Year Itch," while also introducing Erika Burkhalter, a photographer and travel enthusiast who captures the essence of Marilyn in her work.

Abstract

The article delves into the enduring legacy of Marilyn Monroe, particularly in Palm Springs, where a 26-foot-tall statue named "Forever Marilyn" stands as a testament to her impact. The statue, created by artist Seward Johnson, immortalizes a scene from the film "The Seven Year Itch," directed by Billy Wilder, where Marilyn's skirt is blown up by a subway grate's draft. This moment, though controversial, especially for her then-husband Joe DiMaggio, solidified her status as a Hollywood legend. The piece also highlights the work of Erika Burkhalter, who, through her photography, continues to tell the story of Marilyn's indelible mark on history. Burkhalter is described as a multifaceted individual with a passion for yoga, neurophilosophy, and nature, and her contributions to the February Six Word Photo Story Challenge on the theme of "Statues" are acknowledged.

Opinions

Erika Burkhalter is portrayed as an admirer of Marilyn Monroe, capturing her spirit through photography.
The "Forever Marilyn" statue is seen as a significant tribute to Marilyn Monroe, celebrating her iconic moment in film history.
Marilyn Monroe's independence and defiance of societal norms are highlighted, suggesting she was a woman ahead of her time.
The article expresses that well-behaved women are less likely to make history, implying a reverence for those who challenge the status quo, like Marilyn did.
The author seems to appreciate the beauty and symbolism of the desert landscape in Palm Springs as a backdrop for the statue and the stories it tells.
There is an acknowledgment of the talent and creativity of other photographers and storytellers who participate in the Six Word Photo Story Challenge.

Skirts aflutter in the desert breeze.

Well-behaved women seldom make history. And Norma Jeane Mortenson most certainly made history. Her transformation into the iconic Marilyn Monroe sky-rocketed her into fame.

Her presence looms large in Palm Springs.

Forever Marilyn soars twenty-six feet into the blue desert skies.

A tribute by American artist Seward Johnson to a moment captured on film for a publicity shoot for the 1955 movie The Seven Year Itch by Billy Wilder, the statue depicts Marilyn with her skirts blowing up around her thighs.

The original photo shoot took place in New York City. The moment that a subway passed under the grate she was standing on and sent her skirts all a flutter is indelibly etched into the archives of her legendary escapades.

Her husband at the time, the famous baseball star Joe DiMaggio, was enraged by the photo. But that didn’t stop Marilyn.

She was a woman of her own mind who made her way into the world of Hollywood, forging a career that made her a household name.

Erika Burkhalter is a yogi, neurophilosopher, cat-mom, photographer, and lover of travel and nature, spreading her love and amazement for Mother Earth’s glories, one photo, poem or story at a time. (MS Neuropsychology, MA Yoga Studies).

You might also want to check out a few other talented six word photo story writers, whom I enjoy:

Thank you to Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles for the February Challenge of telling a whole story with only six words:

Photography, Travel

Marilyn in Palm Springs

February Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Statues”

Skirts aflutter in the desert breeze.

Statues: February Prompt

February Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Statues”