After years of debate and legal battles, the iconic Forever Marilyn statue in Palm Springs is set to find a new home. The towering 26-foot sculpture, which depicts Marilyn Monroe in her infamous skirt scene from "The Seven Year Itch," has been a subject of contention among locals and critics since its return to Palm Springs in 2021. Currently situated on the outskirts of Downtown Park, the statue will be carefully moved to a yet-to-be-determined location within the park, announced Palm Springs Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein.

The City Council's decision to relocate the Forever Marilyn statue comes after heated discussions that divided the community. The contentious artwork has drawn mixed reactions, with some praising it as a tourist attraction while others label it as sexist. The move aims to find a satisfactory solution to ease tensions surrounding the statue.

Notably, fashion designer Trina Turk has been at the forefront of the campaign to relocate the statue. Through a GoFundMe page, Turk successfully raised over $115,000 to lobby for the statue's relocation. In a recent post on the fundraising platform, cautious optimism was expressed, acknowledging that there are still details to be resolved and a binding agreement to be worked out before considering the move a done deal.

The Forever Marilyn statue first departed Palm Springs in 2014, only to return in 2021. Its reappearance stirred controversy once again, prompting art critic Christopher Knight to express his satisfaction with the decision to relocate the statue back in 2014. However, not everyone in Palm Springs is pleased with the impending move. Numerous residents and visitors voiced their disagreement on the city's Facebook post announcing the relocation plan, expressing their affinity for the statue and its popularity as a photo spot for tourists.

One of the concerns raised by the Palm Springs Art Museum director, Louis Grachos, centered around the statue's placement and its impact on museum visitors, particularly schoolchildren. Grachos expressed that the unavoidable encounter with Marilyn's backside and underwear on their way to and from the museum was a cause for discomfort.

The upcoming relocation within Downtown Park ensures that the statue will remain within a relatively small area, as the park spans just 1.5 acres. While the new location within the park has yet to be determined, it is expected to provide a compromise that alleviates the controversy while still allowing enthusiasts and tourists the opportunity to engage with the iconic statue.

As the city of Palm Springs takes steps towards moving the Forever Marilyn statue, the future position promises to be a delicate balance between addressing community concerns and preserving the allure of this iconic symbol of glamour.