• by Tanya Gazdik , June 4, 2026

While it might seem unusual for Genesis Motor North America to host an art exhibit focusing on a famous actress, it makes sense considering the brand’s focus on fashion and style. 

Timed to what would have been Marilyn Monroe's 100th birthday, the automaker is hosting “Manifesting Marilyn: The Making of an Icon” at its flagship brand space, Genesis House, in New York City’s Meatpacking district. 

The exhibit “speaks to the courage required to imagine beyond expectation,” says Tedros Mengiste, chief operating officer of Genesis Motor North America, in a release. “Marilyn’s story reminds us that icons are shaped through vision, discipline, resilience and the willingness to begin again. At Genesis, and through this latest installation at Genesis House, that ethos of becoming informs how we think about design, culture and hospitality, and how we create experiences that look forward with intention.”

Genesis takes inspiration from Monroe’s ability to transcend expectations, according to the automaker. Her story mirrors the brand's conviction that icons are not defined by legacy alone but are shaped through intention, design and the courage to make something new manifest. 

The exhibit aims to reveal a side of one of the world's most recognizable figures rarely discussed: her intelligence, ambition and intentional self-authorship.

The exhibit includes rare archival personal items, audio and imagery, plus programming and culinary experiences across Genesis House. The free show, which runs though Aug. 2, is expected to be the only standalone Marilyn Monroe centennial installation in New York.

The Big Apple will also honor Monroe’s legacy with a special lighting of the Empire State Building. To mark the occasion, Genesis House will livestream the iconic illumination on its showroom LED screen. 

At the center of the exhibition is a recreation of Monroe’s personal library, offering a rare look into the intellectual life of one of the most photographed women in modern history. 

The exhibit was developed in partnership with Authentic Brands Group, owner and steward of the Monroe estate, and a leading sports, media, entertainment and lifestyle platform.