Homework Writing-Between Art and Architecture

This piece, Between Art and Architecture, was a very touching, inspiring, and very enjoyable to read. It really emphasizes on the differences in thoughts and intentions between, in this matter, artists and politicians. Maya Lin had a vision. Her vision was not one to appeal to the public in a people-pleaser stance. Rather her vision was to recognize those who were lost and those who experienced the Vietnam War. Her plan was simple, elegant, and just enough to let veterans know they are appreciated and remind those of all who were lost. It was very down to earth, considerably straight forward, but held a power that showered awe and brought tears to everyone who entered.

The politicians wanted to change the dynamic and effective design that was specifically selected, to this big and thick stoned wall that displayed all of the names placed at random. On one hand, this would have been a quick and easy to do process, but the project was not the least bit about time. It was about thought, appreciation and giving back to people who were willing to sacrifice their lives for their country. The politicians even went to the extent of putting “The addition of the statue of infantrymen and then the addition of the female statue to make them equal.” That makes me feel that their intent was more for publicity then recognition. Pleasing viewers in a way that makes them all feel equal was not the point. Families and veterans don't care anything about two statues representing both genders. It was about the veterans themselves. And the fact that Maya Lin's race, gender, age or any of that was brought up is heart breaking, but I hear of that happening quite often. I consider that to be hypocritical-wanting to put the male and female statues dominantly in the entrance when they discriminated against Maya Lin pretty much as a whole.

Lin held firmly to what she wanted which was the best representation for the memorial. I find it hopeful that Lin kept to what she wanted. She fought and reasoned and kept her head held high. And even though her designs for this memorial was built almost exactly like she wanted around the intended location, from this essay, she did not seem like it was something she was overly prideful of or boastful about. In the end, Maya Lin visited the structure, and was more like a visitor rubbing her fingers across the carved name of a loved one, just like everyone else.