A Big Gash in the Earth
Written: Dec 15 '04 (Updated Dec 16 '04)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: thought-provoking, simple, yet powerful
Cons: may be considered too stark by some
The Bottom Line: Visit it if you're prepared to be moved: if not, you may not get much out of it.
|
|
|
| mht's Full Review: Vietnam Veterans Memorial |
The designer of this Memorial described her creation in this way, the title of this article. As I visited it in person recently, I was profoundly moved by the simple, stark symbolism contained in both the idea for the Memorial and its fulfillment.
Simple By Design
The design of this Memorial is intentionally simple. I had heard about this Memorial before seeing it in person, and I wondered what it would look like.
When I walked up to it, I saw name after name after name on solid slabs of dark stone--granite I was told. As one walks after slab after slab joined together, the cumulative effect of the many names hits home. Walking down and in to the center of the V form that the Memorial makes takes a good bit of time if one is reading names: this compacted quasi-cemetary like structure in essence packs all the names that would go into a Vietnam veteran cemetary into one structure.
Thinking about how each name is not just a name, but a real person who had a family, a history, and a place in this world is almost too much to absorb fully. Such an impact is just the sort of reaction that the designer wanted its viewers to have. The simple majesty of the Memorial, while apparently simplistic on the surface, has significant ability to move one affectively and cognitively.
The Competition
What is ironic about the process is that the winner of the design contest won over her professor. She was a student at the time, and her professor also entered the contest.
The faculty didn't think much of her design, and I'm not sure how the future relationship with that professor went, but perhaps it shows the indeterminacy of what creative designs will be appreciated, accepted and rewarded. I suppose that's why Vincent Van Gogh sold only 2 paintings during his lifetime!
Poetry
I heard a poem recently on NPR (National Public Radio) about a person's visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. It gave a graphic merging of a description of the actual Memorial with his experience of it. The most poignant part of it spoke of how he was determined, prior to visiting the Memorial, not to shed a tear. However, when he got there, he was moved to tears that he couldn't contain within himself. Especially for those who are veterans of the war or are close to one who was, it would probably be difficult at best to stay stolidly dry-eyed after experiencing this "Gash in the Earth".
Conclusion
While it isn't as dynamic as say the Korean War Memorial, or as spacious as the WWII Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial plays its own complementary role in the array of memorials in Washington D.C. It makes its point with simplicity and strength, with little fanfare or frills. If you let it, it can make one contemplate the brevity of life, the price of war, and the Vietnam War in particular, in a way that you may never have done before. I recommend it for people who are prepared to be moved to think and feel beyond the superficial.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Seniors
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
mht
|
|
Member: Morse Tan, Esq.
Location: Jacksonville, Florida, USA
Reviews written: 115
Trusted by: 31 members
About Me:
HappyHubby, DevotedDad, BookAddict, investor, TennisBrain, cellist, TravelNut, DogLover, law professor: learning to play!
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.