Genesis marks Marilyn Monroe centennial with special exhibition in New York

Genesis announced Tuesday it will hold a special exhibition at Genesis House New York to mark the 100th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe's birth. Titled "Manifesting Marilyn," the show at the brand's cultural complex will explore Genesis's spirit of innovation alongside the life of the iconic actress.

The exhibition opens at Genesis House New York — chosen for its location in the United States, the country where Monroe was born and built her career — and runs for two months from Tuesday.

Genesis developed the exhibition in partnership with Authentic Brands Group, the owner and manager of the Marilyn Monroe estate. The spaces were designed as a storytelling and immersive experience to convey Monroe's identity as a self-determined, timeless woman.

The exhibition opens in "The Headline Room," which displays iconic newspaper clippings and images related to Monroe to reflect how the world traditionally perceived her. "Marilyn's Office" then examines the intellectual innovator behind the public image, drawing on the story of how she defied the Hollywood studio system by founding her own production company.

"The Vanity" showcases the personal belongings and costumes Monroe deliberately used to craft her glamorous public persona. "The Screen Experience" is designed as a cinematic space where visitors can witness the transformation of an ordinary young woman born Norma Jeane into the era-defining icon Marilyn Monroe.

The exhibition closes with "New Beginnings Hall," a finale space inviting visitors to envision their own futures and find motivation for personal growth.

During the exhibition, the library inside Genesis House New York will also host a curated display featuring books from Monroe's personal collection, reflecting her well-known passion for reading.

"The Marilyn Monroe exhibition goes beyond the image consumed by the public to reexamine the narrative of her challenges and innovation," said Lee Si-hyuk, executive vice president and head of the Genesis business division. "Through this exhibition, which shares a deep connection with Genesis's own story of setting new standards in luxury automobiles, we will convey our brand values and direction in a more emotional way."

Meanwhile, Genesis has continued to push innovation across design, product competitiveness, technology and customer experience, bringing a distinctly Korean sensibility to the global stage. As a result, the brand shattered longstanding perceptions of Korean cars and surpassed cumulative global sales of 1 million vehicles in 2023 — just over seven years after its launch — then exceeded 1.5 million units last year.