in honor of my summer job

I think that because the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is considered a piece of history its importance as art is often overlooked. The design was submitted as part of a competition in 1981 and it was meant to apolitically honor those who had died. The winning design came from Maya Ying Lin, a 21 year old student at Yale University (her original submission is pictured, right).

Ironically, it was originally submitted as a project in her funerary design class, and the selection of this design caused quite a bit of controversy. Some people felt strongly about more traditional approaches. It is important to note that at this time figurative statues were the norm, and Lin's abstract interpretation of public art shifted internationally the way that artists approached memorials (think the Holocaust Memorial in Boston).

The minimalist shape of the memorial mimics the rising tide of death during the war. The names are all placed in chronological order so that we can see how the casualties gradually rose, peaked, and declined. Rather than grouping them all together as 'those who perished in service of their country etc.' Lin commemorates each individual. In addition to the shape's metaphoric description of death, the structures minimalism allows people from all over the world to relate to it. The shiny surface of the black granite shows the visitors reflection blended with the names, and its simplicity allows for individual interpretation.

Furthermore, without any instruction certain rituals have sprung up around this object. People from all parts of the world make etchings of the names of deceased soldiers by rubbing pencil over them. It is also a ritual for visitors to leave objects and letters for their loved ones and friends (see left). These objects are treated as part of the artwork - they are collected and stored rather than disposed of.

My job this summer has given me a new appreciation for people who serve or have served in the military. Every day there are stories about men and women of all ages who are struggling to readjust to civilian life or who are succeeding with the invaluable support of family and veterans' organizations. Although I'm sure that working at a hospital I see the more extreme cases on either end. Regardless of where my opinion lies politically, the people who serve gain my utmost respect. And regardless of the turmoil that surrounded the Vietnam War, this is an artful way to commemorate the people who lost their lives.