A 26-foot statue of Marilyn Monroe's famous leg-flashing moment from The Seven Year Itch has sparked controversy.
The giant artwork, which was unveiled in Chicago earlier this month, has been savaged by critics for encouraging "juvenile" photo opportunities.
Reports say that tourists are flocking to take photos of the sculpture's underwear.
Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times, who branded the statue "hideous" wrote: "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."
The statue recreates the iconic scene in The Seven Year Itch when Monroe's flowing skirt is blown up around her waist as she stands over a subway grate.
