My Marilyn Movie Clip
Perhaps the quintessential image of Marilyn Monroe is that of her skirt billowing
My Marilyn Movie Clip
Perhaps the quintessential image of Marilyn Monroe is that of her skirt billowing
over a subway grate in the Twentieth Century Fox film The Seven Year Itch.
For years I wanted to create a work of art that would capture the kinetic energy
of that scene. There was no singular aspect that I could develop two dimensionally
to represent this image. In the winter of 1999 I began to design a three dimensional
concept that would culminate in an animated sculpture. My vision was to recapture,
in motion, that which has become a popular American culture icon.
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The twenty inch tall figure is sculpted on a
wire frame with a synthetic clay that fires to a permanently hard finish.
It was then airbrushed and hand
painted. The eyes are glass. Hair and lashes have been added and the figure is anatomically
correct. The photograph has been censored.
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Working in miniature has its limitations,
most challenging of which was achieving a likeness and expression on a face that is only
two inches.
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The entire ensemble was constructed. The
dress, purse,
scarf, panties and earrings have been faithfully recreated.
The shoes were sculpted onto the feet.
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There were two sets used in the film.
Scenes were filmed on location in New York and on a set at Fox
studios. I chose to use the Fox set. Working
with a still photo from the film, I removed the figures and
established a background for the scene.
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The figure was then secured to a grated frame that
sets into the sidewalk. A fan is placed below the grate.
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