Monroe Statue Blasted By Critics

19 July 2011 5:11 AM, PDT | WENN | See recent WENN news »

A giant statue of Marilyn Monroe's infamous leg-flashing moment from The Seven Year Itch has sparked controversy amid claims tourists are flocking to take lewd photos of the sculpture's underwear.

The 26-foot (7.9-metres) tall artwork was unveiled in Chicago, Illinois earlier this month but it has been savaged by critics for encouraging "juvenile" picture opportunities.

Richard Roeper, a journalist with the Chicago Sun-Times, has branded the statue "hideous" and writes, "Even worse than the sculpture itself is the photo-op behaviour it's inspiring. Men (and women) licking Marilyn's leg, gawking up her skirt, pointing at her giant panties as they leer and laugh. It's not that the sculpture is shocking or sexist or obscene - but it's definitely bringing out the juvenile goofball in many of us."

Roeper also demands to know why the statue has been placed in Chicago when the iconic scene - in which Monroe's flowing dress is blown around her waist as she stands over a subway grate - was shot in New York.

The statue, by artist Seward Johnson, will be displayed in Chicago until spring next year.

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