Marilyn - the Strength Behind the Legendary Monroe
VADUZ, Liechtenstein, March 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
Special Exhibition Liechtenstein National Museum, Vaduz
Exhibition Concept
The special exhibition presents the emancipation of women in the 1950s through the example of the most photographed woman of the 20th century -- the actress, singer and style icon, Marilyn Monroe.
The exhibition here focuses on the strength behind the exceptional phenomenon who, even 53 years after her death in 1962, has not lost her charm and influence, which in society and the women's movement to this day is palpable.
Presented are more than 400 selected pieces from the private collection of Ted Stampfer, the world's largest collection of Marilyn Monroe originals of its kind. Through his willingness to present his collection in exhibitions, the art collector and expert wants not only to remember the actress, who was intellectually underestimated during her lifetime and reduced by filmmakers and media to her visual appeal, but also to make exhibit attendees aware of the clever and ambitious businesswoman. Most of the pieces originate from her estate, of which the items were stored after Marilyn Monroe's death in August 1962, until 1999, until large portions of it were put up for auction with auction houses like Christie's and Julien's. The exhibition is rounded out by individual pieces from other international collectors.
Uniquely designed and seen for the first time worldwide, the National Museum in Liechtenstein thus enables its exhibition visitors to dive into Monroe's world. Visitors walk through the most important chronological development stages of her life, and can view special exhibits that not only give a glimpse into her life and the work of this extraordinary woman, but also highlight her emancipated side. These include: high-quality articles of clothing; accessories; beauty, skincare and styling products; personal and film company documents; film props; and extensive photo and film footage presented by means of electronic media.
The exhibition, however, is not just focused on presenting personal belongings from a late actress. Rather, it focuses more on the unknown private person -- the real face behind the Hollywood icon. Thus, it gives an intimate look at the real person behind the fictional persona Marilyn Monroe. Using examples, visitors learn about an ambitious woman of the 1940s and 1950s, who, despite the prevailing gender roles of her time, reached her own set goals gradually and with great confidence.
Adressed is on the one hand, the outward makeover of a natural brunette girl, who became with the conscious use of her body the most desirable woman in the world. This is, for example, demonstrated with the original false eyelashes, various containers of makeup, articles and accessories used as highlights for her hair styling, which were significantly involved in the transformation process. But also Marilyn's favorite clothing is presented, including her white and checkered capri pants, which she liked to combine with a black turtleneck sweater. She wore them both in her private life as well as in important photo shoots (for example in the famous shoots with photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt and Milton Greene). These iconic photographs today show us not only a timeless beauty, but a self-confident woman, who was well aware of her own charisma.
In addition, the exhibition also highlights the public person and reports about the strong side of a woman who had to compete in a man's world in the 1950s. There are character traits and self-confident behavior demonstrated, which culminated at the height of Monroe's career to rebel against the male-dominated film industry. This courageous behavior led to, among other things, better contract terms and the ability to have more say over her career, plus to establishing her own film production company -- another way she became more independent. The exhibition presents original costumes, film props and important documents on the films that were produced by Monroe herself.
Besides the interest in her own career and her personal advancement, Marilyn Monroe was also involved in helping the disadvantaged and minorities. This is illustrated with the example of Ella Fitzgerald, the famous African-American jazz singer, for whom Monroe actively campaigned to obtain engagements in a hip nightclub that was typically reserved for white artists. Fitzgerald later reported that Monroe's influence and active action were instrumental in her international success as a singer.
The exhibition offers in all its aspects a comprehensive view of the strong-willed character of a woman who was ahead of her time. And it also reveals to the visitor that Marilyn Monroe, by her behavior in different ways, exerted a formative influence on the emancipation of women, making her one of the most important cultural and historical figures of the 20th century.
Information about the person Marilyn Monroe can be found here:
http://www.llm.li/Portals/0/docs/Medieninfo/Marilyn/LLM-Press-release-About-Monroe-English.pdf
Information about the person Ted Stampfer (owner of the collection) can be found here:
Press images
http://www.landesmuseum.li/medieninfo or
Flickr:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/landesmuseum-liechtenstein/sets/72157650798860615/
Contact
Liechtenstein National Museum
Prof. Dr. Rainer Vollkommer
Director
Städtle 43, P.O. Box1216
9490 Vaduz
Principality of Liechtenstein
Telephone: +423-239-68-20
E-Mail: info@landesmuseum.li
http://www.landesmuseum.li
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