I think this monument is brilliant. Simple in design, but so powerful. Love how at such a young age Maya Lin put so much depth and thoughtfulness into this project. When she breaks down her intent and what she was trying to convey, the design really lives up to it. Definitely one of my favorite memorials. The choice of writing every single name of every soldier killed, and the overwhelming amount of names, is something that blows my mind every time.
Vietnam Vet here. When I first saw this design in the newspaper I was moved to tears. I was out of the army and living in DC. When the monument was finished and I went to see it, I almost collapsed with the impact it had on me. Had to hang on to my buddy…..also army vet. I went back many times. Most powerful monument on earth. Thank god it was not one of those horrible “rah-rah America” things. It symbolizes the sacrifices we all made WITHOUT glorifying that evil, immoral war.
"I imagined taking a knife and cutting into the earth, opening it up, and with the passage of time, that initial violence and pain would heal", Maya Lin
It was a very feminist symbolism design of the past distinguished the present. The message was displayed a clear view of the reflections of one's sorrow of the loss of someone in the family and friends. Great execution undertaking the memorial's statement and assertion. Great job Maya Lin.
I'm a Vietnam vet and named my son after my buddy who came back in a box and would now be 71, but died when he was 20. We, Americans, are a racist and hateful Nation and always have been and let us not forget about slavery. I observed such atrocities in Vietnam that I was often ashamed to be an American! Think about that! Best of luck to all of us!
I don't think you are a Vietnam Vet at all. Nowadays, Vietnamese people generally like American. Slavery has existed throughout human history, even now in some part of the world. American was first among all countries/races to end slavery. BTW, I am an Asian.
1811; Spain abolishes slavery. 1819; Britain stations naval force off west African coast to enforce slave trading ban. 1833; Britain abolishes slavery. 1848; France abolishes slavery. 1858; Portugal abolishes slavery. 1861; Netherlands abolishes slavery. 1865; United States 13th amendment abolished slavery. When you look at history you find that the United States of America was the last of the so-called civilized nations to abolish slavery. And it took a war that ripped the country apart worse than the Vietnam war did to accomplish it. I don’t know if PacoOtis is a veteran or not. Neither do you. But his words echo the sentiments of many Vietnam veterans. The Vietnam war was ugly and should never have happened. Peace out. PacoOtis, I am glad you made it back. I hope you’re having a good life.
It's a wall and this is an example where the artist does not have great insight into their work. Sometime it is almost better not to know what the artist intention was. The memorial is such a ,incredible piece of work and an astonishing place but every time I her talk about it I think she is talking about a different place.
I think this monument is brilliant. Simple in design, but so powerful. Love how at such a young age Maya Lin put so much depth and thoughtfulness into this project. When she breaks down her intent and what she was trying to convey, the design really lives up to it. Definitely one of my favorite memorials. The choice of writing every single name of every soldier killed, and the overwhelming amount of names, is something that blows my mind every time.
Vietnam Vet here. When I first saw this design in the newspaper I was moved to tears. I was out of the army and living in DC. When the monument was finished and I went to see it, I almost collapsed with the impact it had on me. Had to hang on to my buddy…..also army vet. I went back many times. Most powerful monument on earth. Thank god it was not one of those horrible “rah-rah America” things. It symbolizes the sacrifices we all made WITHOUT glorifying that evil, immoral war.
Maya Lin is a phenomenal architect and artist, thank you Maya.
pure Genius timeless
She's remembering what she did when she was 20 years old. I wonder what it's like being a genius.
"I imagined taking a knife and cutting into the earth, opening it up, and with the passage of time, that initial violence and pain would heal", Maya Lin
I wonder if any of her fierce critics ever apologized to her....
It was a very feminist symbolism design of the past distinguished the present. The message was displayed a clear view of the reflections of one's sorrow of the loss of someone in the family and friends. Great execution undertaking the memorial's statement and assertion. Great job Maya Lin.
I'm a Vietnam vet and named my son after my buddy who came back in a box and would now be 71, but died when he was 20. We, Americans, are a racist and hateful Nation and always have been and let us not forget about slavery. I observed such atrocities in Vietnam that I was often ashamed to be an American! Think about that! Best of luck to all of us!
You're probably a REMF if you're a veteran at all.
I don't think you are a Vietnam Vet at all. Nowadays, Vietnamese people generally like American. Slavery has existed throughout human history, even now in some part of the world. American was first among all countries/races to end slavery. BTW, I am an Asian.
1811; Spain abolishes slavery.
1819; Britain stations naval force off west African coast to enforce slave trading ban.
1833; Britain abolishes slavery.
1848; France abolishes slavery.
1858; Portugal abolishes slavery.
1861; Netherlands abolishes slavery.
1865; United States 13th amendment abolished slavery.
When you look at history you find that the United States of America was the last of the so-called civilized nations to abolish slavery. And it took a war that ripped the country apart worse than the Vietnam war did to accomplish it.
I don’t know if PacoOtis is a veteran or not. Neither do you. But his words echo the sentiments of many Vietnam veterans. The Vietnam war was ugly and should never have happened.
Peace out. PacoOtis, I am glad you made it back. I hope you’re having a good life.
Today, this message is clearer then ever 💔
Im sorry for the sacrifices and the loses you had to endure...
Symbolism is a interpretation
Politics is whatever ya make it
58,273. That what I remember
God Rest Their Souls
I thought she was 92 years old lol
You cannot explain art...
Total nonsense.
It's a wall and this is an example where the artist does not have great insight into their work. Sometime it is almost better not to know what the artist intention was. The memorial is such a ,incredible piece of work and an astonishing place but every time I her talk about it I think she is talking about a different place.