Remembering

One way I like to consider the apex where design (specifically Architecture) and American culture come to intersect is the example of the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington, DC.  I can remember as a young child being brought by my parents to look at a polished black stone wall and feeling a somber mood that overtook anyone who walked by it.  Designed by one of my favorite role models, Maya Lin, she is a living genius and the memorial is my favorite in Washington.  

The wall was and in some ways still remains controversial.  In the documentary Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision, Maya is a young Yale undergrad who wins the design competition for the memorial based on her highly minimalist aesthetic and simplistic expression.  One of the key points of conflict about the memorial was the abstracted interpretation of the design.  People felt offended by the 'mournful' black color of the marble.  Maya interpreted the stone as an universal statement on death itself.  In concession to people who objected to her design it was ultimately altered to add a sculpture of three soldiers placed adjacent to the memorial.

I like to contemplate on the place where political sensitivity and design are forced to come to terms.  I think the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial is successful because of it's abstraction.  It references to the literal war that occurred by the inscribed names in the stone, but speaks to the higher costs of war and society.  It offers no judgement of right or wrong, but evokes the questions of purpose and the ultimate existential issues developed from war.  

In reference to Veteran's day CBS "Sunday Morning" has released this report this weekend.  I also recommend checking out Maya Lin: Strong Clear Vision.  And additionally I'd like to share Maya's interview with PBS's Art21.