Up-skirt Marilyn Monroe statue: Art or trash?

A spectator on Chicago's Michigan Avenue is taking a closer look at a huge, controversial statue of Marilyn Monroe. The 26-foot-tall, 17-ton, stainless steel and aluminum sculpture, called "Forever Marilyn," by Seward Johnson, shows the late bombshell striking her iconic pose from the 1955 film, "The Seven Year Itch," holding down her flyaway halter dress. But it's so tall, you can look up her skirt -- and the statue clearly shows her lacey underwear.
Some people in the Windy City who've seen it have called it inappropriate, while others have embraced it as art.

Here, spectators gaze at the statue in July 2011. It will be on display through the spring of 2012.

Risque Marilyn Monroe statue stirs up Windy City

Two children take a closer look at the "Forever Marilyn," a controversial, giant sculpture by Seward Johnson, on July 15, 2011, in Chicago. It depicts the late Hollywood icon, Marilyn Monroe, in her classic pose from "The Seven Year Itch," but is so large people can look up and see her underwear -- which is one thing causing the flap.

"If it's raining you can stand underneath her skirt," a spectator told "The Early Show."

Risque Marilyn Monroe statue stirs up Windy City

Crowds peer at "Forever Marilyn," a huge sculpture by Seward Johnson, on July 15, 2011 in Chicago. It shows Marilyn Monroe in her famous pose from "The Seven Year Itch," but is so large people can look up and see her underwear -- which is proving controversial.

Risque Marilyn Monroe statue stirs up Windy City

A bride poses in front of "Forever Marilyn," a 26-foot, 17 ton sculpture by Seward Johnson, seen here on July 15, 2011 in Chicago, shows Marilyn Monroe in her classic pose from "The Seven Year Itch," but is so big people can look up and see her underwear -- which is one thing causing controversy.

Risque Marilyn Monroe statue stirs up Windy City

A bride and her bridesmaids look at "Forever Marilyn," a controversial, giant sculpture by Seward Johnson, on July 15, 2011 in Chicago. It depicts the late Hollywood icon in her classic pose from "The Seven Year Itch," but is so large people can look up and see her underwear -- which has people talking, pro and con.

"It's tasteful enough. It's not tacky in the least," a spectator told "The Early Show." "It's gaudy and garish and, personally, I don't like it. It's just too much," added another.

Risque Marilyn Monroe statue stirs up Windy City

A wedding party stands in line to take pictures with "Forever Marilyn," a sculpture by Seward Johnson, on July 15, 2011 in Chicago. The stainless steel and aluminum sculpture which stands 26 feet tall and weighs 34,000 pounds will be on display in Chicago through the spring of 2012. The sculpture was inspired by Marilyn Monroe

A spectators takes a closer look at "Forever Marilyn," a sculpture by Seward Johnson, on July 15, 2011 in Chicago. The stainless steel and aluminum sculpture, which stands 26 feet tall and weighs 34,000 pounds, will be on display in Chicago through the spring of 2012. The sculpture was inspired by Marilyn Monroe

When it comes to capturing the essence of the late icon Marilyn Monroe -- sky's the limit! The "Forever Marilyn," a sculpture by Seward Johnson, stands on July 15, 2011 in Chicago. The stainless steel and aluminum sculpture which stands 26 feet tall and weighs 34,000 pounds will be on display in Chicago through the spring of 2012. The sculpture was inspired by Marilyn Monroe

In life and death, sexy siren Marilyn Monroe continues to raise eyebrows. The "Forever Marilyn," a sculpture by Seward Johnson, stands on July 15, 2011 in Chicago. The stainless steel and aluminum sculpture which stands 26 feet tall and weighs 34,000 pounds will be on display in Chicago through the spring of 2012. The sculpture was inspired by Marilyn Monroe

Late blond bombshell Marilyn Monroe is giving Chicago a run for its money. Tourists and locals alike are drawn to the gigantic "Forever Marilyn," a sculpture by Seward Johnson, on July 15, 2011 in the Windy City. The stainless steel and aluminum sculpture, which stands 26 feet tall and weighs 34,000 pounds will be on display in Chicago through the spring of 2012. The sculpture was inspired by Marilyn Monroe

Autin Wright helps to put some finishing touches on ''Forever Marilyn'', a sculpture by Seward Johnson, on July 14, 2011 in Chicago. The stainless steel and aluminum sculpture, which stands 26 feet tall and weighs 34,000 pounds, will remain on display in Chicago through the spring of 2012. The sculpture was inspired by Marilyn Monroe's iconic scene in the 1955 movie "Seven Year Itch."

Risque Marilyn Monroe statue stirs up Windy City

Nick Valenza helps to put some finishing touches on ''Forever Marilyn'', a sculpture by Seward Johnson, on July 14, 2011 in Chicago. The stainless steel and aluminum sculpture, which stands 26 feet tall and weighs 34,000 pounds, will be on display in the Windy City through the spring of 2012. The sculpture was inspired by Marilyn Monroe's iconic scene in the 1955 movie "Seven Year Itch."

Risque Marilyn Monroe statue stirs up Windy City

Workers put some finishing touches on ''Forever Marilyn'', a sculpture by Seward Johnson, on July 14, 2011 in Chicago. The stainless steel and aluminum sculpture which stands 26 feet tall and weighs 34,000 pounds and will remain on display in Chicago through the spring of 2012. The sculpture was inspired by Marilyn Monroe's iconic scene in the 1955 movie "Seven Year Itch."

Risque Marilyn Monroe statue stirs up Windy City

Michael Benevenia helps to put some finishing touches on ''Forever Marilyn'', a sculpture by Seward Johnson, on July 14, 2011 in Chicago. The stainless steel and aluminum sculpture which stands 26 feet tall and weighs 34,000 pounds and will remain on display in Chicago through the spring of 2012. The sculpture was inspired by Marilyn Monroe's iconic scene in the 1955 movie "Seven Year Itch."

Risque Marilyn Monroe statue stirs up Windy City

Autin Wright helps to put some finishing touches on ''Forever Marilyn'', a sculpture by Seward Johnson, on July 14, 2011 in Chicago. The stainless steel and aluminum sculpture which stands 26 feet tall and weighs 34,000 pounds and will remain on display in Chicago through the spring of 2012. The sculpture was inspired by Marilyn Monroe's iconic scene in the 1955 movie "Seven Year Itch."

Risque Marilyn Monroe statue stirs up Windy City

Nick Valenza helps to put some finishing touches on ''Forever Marilyn'', a sculpture by Seward Johnson, on July 14, 2011 in Chicago. The stainless steel and aluminum sculpture which stands 26 feet tall and weighs 34,000 pounds will be on display in Chicago through the spring of 2012. The sculpture was inspired by Marilyn Monroe's iconic scene in the 1955 movie "Seven Year Itch."

Risque Marilyn Monroe statue stirs up Windy City

Risque Marilyn Monroe statue stirs up Windy City

Spectators stare up at "Forever Marilyn," a huge sculpture by Seward Johnson, on July 15, 2011 in Chicago. It shows Marilyn Monroe in her famous pose from "The Seven Year Itch," but is so large people can look up and see her underwear -- which is proving controversial.

Risque Marilyn Monroe statue stirs up Windy City

Nick Valenza helps to put some finishing touches on ''Forever Marilyn'', a sculpture by Seward Johnson, on July 14, 2011 in Chicago. The stainless steel and aluminum sculpture which stands 26 feet tall and weighs 34,000 pounds will remain on display in Chicago through the spring of 2012. The sculpture was inspired by Marilyn Monroe's iconic scene in the 1955 movie "Seven Year Itch."

Risque Marilyn Monroe statue stirs up Windy City

Michael Benevenia helps to put some finishing touches on ''Forever Marilyn'', a sculpture by Seward Johnson, on July 14, 2011 in Chicago. The stainless steel and aluminum sculpture which stands 26 feet tall and weighs 34,000 pounds will be on display in Chicago through the spring of 2012. The sculpture was inspired by Marilyn Monroe's iconic scene in the 1955 movie "Seven Year Itch."

Risque Marilyn Monroe statue stirs up Windy City

Nick Valenza gets some shade from the sun as he helps to put some finishing touches on ''Forever Marilyn'', a sculpture by Seward Johnson, on July 14, 2011 in Chicago. The stainless steel and aluminum sculpture which stands 26 feet tall and weighs 34,000 pounds will be on display in Chicago through the spring of 2012. The sculpture was inspired by Marilyn Monroe's iconic scene in the 1955 movie "Seven Year Itch."

Risque Marilyn Monroe statue stirs up Windy City

Nick Valenza is hard at work as he helps to put some finishing touches on ''Forever Marilyn'', a sculpture by Seward Johnson, on July 14, 2011 in Chicago. The stainless steel and aluminum sculpture which stands 26 feet tall and weighs 34,000 pounds will be on display in Chicago through the spring of 2012. The sculpture was inspired by Marilyn Monroe's iconic scene in the 1955 movie "Seven Year Itch."

Risque Marilyn Monroe statue stirs up Windy City

Yikes! Nick Valenza helps to put some finishing touches on ''Forever Marilyn'', a sculpture by Seward Johnson, on July 14, 2011 in Chicago. The stainless steel and aluminum sculpture which stands 26 feet tall and weighs 34,000 pounds will be on display in Chicago through the spring of 2012. The sculpture was inspired by Marilyn Monroe's iconic scene in the 1955 movie "Seven Year Itch."

Risque Marilyn Monroe statue stirs up Windy City

Nick Valenza helps to put some finishing touches on ''Forever Marilyn'', a sculpture by Seward Johnson, on July 14, 2011 in Chicago. The stainless steel and aluminum sculpture which stands 26 feet tall and weighs 34,000 pounds will be on display in Chicago through the spring of 2012. The sculpture was inspired by Marilyn Monroe's iconic scene in the 1955 movie "Seven Year Itch."

Risque Marilyn Monroe statue stirs up Windy City