Why was the Vietnam Memorial so controversial?
Why was the Vietnam Memorial so controversial?
The design aroused a great deal of controversy, reflecting the lack of resolution of the national conflicts over the war as well as the lack of consensus over what constituted an appropriate memorial at the end of the 20th century.
Why was black granite chosen for the Vietnam Memorial?
The names of soldiers who were dead had a diamond symbol by their name and those missing in action had a plus symbol. The color black was chosen, not as a symbol of defeat, but to symbolically represent the earth. Granite was chosen since it could withstand the tests at the time.
What were some of Maya Lin’s ideas for this memorial?
Lin describes the Memorial thus: “I went to see the site. I had a general idea that I wanted to describe a journey…a journey that would make you experience death and where you’d have to be an observer, where you could never really fully be with the dead.
Why was the Vietnam women’s memorial so significant?
The Vietnam Women’s Memorial was established to honor the women who risked their lives to serve their country. The names of the eight women who died in Vietnam are included on the list of over 58,000 names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
How did people react to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial?
In November 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated before a crowd of thousands of people. The emotional response from the public was overwhelming as veterans, friends, and families turned out to pay their respects to those who sacrificed their lives during the Vietnam War.
Why is the Vietnam Memorial black instead of white?
Design and Layout Maya Lin conceived her design as creating a park within a park — a quiet protected place unto itself, yet harmonious with the overall plan of Constitution Gardens. To achieve this effect she chose polished black granite for the walls.
Why is the Vietnam Memorial underground?
To keep the building from overshadowing the Vietnam Wall or other nearby memorials, it will be built underground.
What symbolism did Maya Lin achieve by creating this memorial?
Vietnam Veterans Memorial The memorial was completed in late October 1982 and dedicated in November 1982. According to Lin, her intention was to create an opening or a wound in the earth to symbolize the pain caused by the war and its many casualties.
Why was Maya Lin’s Vietnam War Memorial initially controversial?
Why was Maya Lin’s Vietnam War Memorial initially controversial? People felt it was too different from traditional war monuments. Compare Augustus of Prima Porta and Self-Portrait with Jewish Identity Card.
What are the three things being represented by the Vietnam women’s memorial?
It depicts three uniformed women with a wounded soldier and serves as a reminder of the important support and caregiving roles that women played in the war as nurses, air traffic controllers, communication specialists, etc.