Maya Lin, Vietnam Veterans Memorial

[@ronniebishop2496]

As a Vietnam vet I want to thank Maya Lin for designing this memorial, I knew nothing about it when I first saw it but I understood it immediately, the gash in the side of our country, and both ends running into the ground and pointing at the Washington monument and Lincoln memorial. Black granite with my dead buddy’s names on it. Maya being Asian is so appropriate and to me a miracle straight from God himself. I salute you!

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Thanks for reaching out, your perspective is so important to understanding this memorial.

[@muzikizfun]

I am a veteran of the US Army and began my service in 1971 as things were cooling off in Vietnam. My brother served their with honor for over 2 years and only came home when he was severely wounded. The memorial designed by Ms Lin while criticized by some, I find wholly appropriate and profound. While some say it is a scar, my brother found it a place of remembrance for his departed comrades. He said to him it symbolized the open arms of his country (never minding those minority that didn't). When he visited he would hug his fellow veterans. Ms Lin's creation can be interpreted many ways but my brother who would eventually pass away from the aftereffects of his injuries found the memorial a place of healing for which he thanked the designer for.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Thank you for sharing such a powerful and personal story. It is very much appreciated.

[@WizardAmbrose]

How many did you unalive?

[@muzikizfun]

@WizardAmbrose My brother was involved in heavy combat, but he never kept score. I was ordered to Vietnam, but when I got to the West Coast, they changed my orders to Korea, where the only thing I killed was a couple of dozen egg rolls!

[@benitaesq_]

I watched an interview conducted with Maya Lin when she was 21 years old after she won the opportunity to design this monument. She said something to the effect that in order to heal from pain we must recognize that a tragedy actually happened. These are not her words verbatim, but I’ve paraphrased what she stated. She was very mature at 21.

[@barbaradavis393]

Vietnam was my generation's war. This is the most evocative memorial that I have ever seen. You are surrounded by the wall. There are no distractions. You stand there and are entirely focused on the names of those who gave their all. That is what matters.

[@ipadbossbaby4558]

Yeah, I went to the memorial as a child and it is literally the only one I remember. An attestment to its gravity in my opinion.

[@joenax777]

This design was very tasteful, subtle, yet impactful. Really a work of art.

[@ericwtfsky]

fully agree ♡

[@stan9670]

When I was 4 or 5 years old I had a neighbor who was 18 years old he was like my big brother to me, he worked for Pepsi cola in Baltimore, md I don’t remember his name but I remember asking my 14 year old sister we’re he went and she said Vietnam then a few months later she said he got killed in Vietnam and would not ever come back home I don’t remember his name but I would like to know his name we lived in Elmora Ave and he lived across our back alley from us if anyone knows of him or his name please let me know, Because I want to go to the wall and thank him for being my big brother even for a short time. I’ve always missed him growing up and would love to know his name when I go to visit him at the wall

[@lsanchez1822]

I only have some suggestions that may or may not help. Where did you guys live (city, state)? Did you know his last name or his family member's last name? What race was your friend? What year was he drafted? How old was he? What year did he die? The answer to these questions may lead you closer to your friend. Ask the military branches if they can help you find him especially the Army and Marines who were the majority. There may also be some websites on the internet that may be able to give you a list of names.

[@robynwaugh1446]

I honestly had no idea how deep the symbolism went into the design of this monument. Thank you for enlightening me!

[@rios614]

I visited this place last year and just being there I was overwhelmed with a feeling of sadness..I couldn’t help but to cry..something took over me idk I can’t describe it. Such a powerful place..

[@thangnguyen02]

Maya Lin's words are so eloquent. I'm Vietnamese, so my feeling about this memorial is very complex. Nevertheless, I decided to visit this memorial. Although I did not know any of those name, the site moved me deeply.

[@tvshowmemes-jt8eb]

Our soldiers deserved to be honored just like yours

[@tvshowmemes-jt8eb]

@@Thunderchild-gz4gc this memorial isn’t propaganda you loser

[@benitaesq_]

@@tvshowmemes-jt8eb Amen

[@MisterEspee]

Did one tour in Viet-Nam. RIP my brothers. You will always be in my mind.

[@rafaelthecrusader7968]

Cliff West Thank you for your service.

[@haltaracs3530]

I don't care if that war was controversial. Thank you for your service!

[@moai6760]

@@m.w.6526 shut the fuck up leftie

[@TorontoIam]

"The names on the Wall appear without rank or even their affiliation with a branch of the military service. The only symbols found alongside names indicate whether or not a person's death was confirmed: a cross indicates missing in action and a diamond indicates killed in action. If the person listed MIA, missing in action, is found alive, the cross is changed into a circle, to indicate life. In its quiet way, therefore, the Memorial challenges the classicism and racism that keeps people apart in society. For example, on panel 1W at the apex of the Memorial, two Billie Joe Williams sit side by side, one was an officer, the other an enlisted man, one was black, the other white, one Billie Joe was found on the battle field, the other remains missing. These two names provide a microcosm of the war by making visible the community of suffering that encompasses all segments of society." Quote from Margaret Rose LaWare's "Public Space and postmodernism: A rhetorical study of two contemporary works of public art" (1993, Dissertation, Northwestern University) and I wish I had read this before I saw the memorial!

[@ronniebishop2496]

Good post of information. Thank you.

[@strangecore4]

Excellent education as always. I was proud to show this to my class of Art Appreciation students. Your use of the word "cut" resonated with them. For many of them, this was their most memorable moment in our class. Since the majority of them are active military, they appreciated the thought and care Maya Lin put into the memorial as well as your comments. You took something that they first saw as "a hole in the ground" and made it meaningful. Thank you.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Thank you for reaching out. It was very moving to hear about your class. Would you be willing to fill out a very short impact survey (our funders have asked us to do this). Here is a link to the Google form: docs.google.com/forms/d/1iK3BzqX1EueqEBCXz-JMfiifEGeAA15IWIZFl4nRG_g/viewform?edit_requested=true Best, Steven

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Many thanks.

[@namemyself353]

Learnt about Maya Lin on one of my English test, was extremely curious and searched it in KZbin, glad to learn a lot more about the information.

[@nomadicvaquero2791]

I learned about her from the Vietnam documentary on netflix

[@commiecomrade2644]

Love the symbolism of the two worlds. Love how the names become the boundary. Tangible and immutable as you stare at your own reflection. It all works on so many levels. The main part vets seem to appreciate is the intimacy and safety it provides. You are cradled by the names. Protected by them. Instead of standing around gawking at a statue or towering monolith. Really great object with great symbolism and profound meaning. War is not glorious and this monument puts the names above the war.

[@injusticeanywherethreatens4810]

Her art teacher submitted a design for the Vietnam Memorial and lost to her!

[@alalalala57]

I Like Sciences and Maths If I was the teacher, I would be extremely proud.

[@呀你可]

haha really? true fact?

[@Conejitoperverso]

that's a good teacher, the students should surpass the teacher

[@books7674]

She also received a " B " in the class.

[@stefthorman8548]

@@Conejitoperverso the teacher gave her an b for this design

[@vl9763]

Its amazing to me to know that a few years later I was born. What also amazes me is that it has been 40years since this beautiful memorial meaning Maya Lin is now in her 60's. I cannot wait to go with my husband and see this

[@sergeantmasson3669]

Her design was BRILLIANT/PRICELESS.

[@JayVanBuren]

great video-- you really explain why this piece is, IMHO, one of the greatest 20th century works of art.

[@Briguy1027]

I believe the statue they added was part of some compromise, but as time has gone by, I feel that the statue is really quite superfluous. I prefer the stark vision of the wall all by itself.

[@ronniebishop2496]

Yes I believe most Vietnam vets like me understood it and really appreciated that an Asian designed it. That in itself to me was a miracle. It’s perfect.

[@JoachimderZweite]

It is a miracle that this beautiful memorial was built - maybe 58000 spirits moved things along or possibly just the hand of heaven.

[@1805movie]

It seems that no matter what memorial's being built, there will always be controversy, whether the for the Vietnam Memorial or the 9/11 memorial.

[@violetbrown2372]

this was the first memorial that dealt with the human cost of war.

[@strangecore4]

If you are, or were, in the military: "Thank you!".

[@muyun9525]

Maya Lin（林瓔）design is Great！

[@peterrech9563]

It’s a tribute to those who did what others chose to avoid. As a result, they paid the ultimate sacrifice and that is sad ! I was lucky. 25th infantry division Oct 67-68, 11 B RVN

[@Fadeddbblack]

Thank you for your service

[@lizshares8372]

Indeed a great symbolism!

[@emily7103]

It's a shame how Maya's work was initially condemned and met with scorn ( which seems to happen to many artists) upon initially unveiling her design for the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial. Myself, I found it to be the most moving monument upon my own visit to DC. I'm thrilled that Maya has since garnered the acclaim she deserved. In the end, she had the last laugh. - MORAL: Don't ever let others' criticism discourage you from achieving your dreams.

[@ronniebishop2496]

It’s always like that. But as a veteran of the Vietnam War I think it’s perfect and believe an Asian designer is a miracle and very appropriate.

[@haltaracs3530]

Just have to make the comment as a big geology lover...the monument and the stone is absolutely beautiful. But...it's not made of granite. It's actually something called gabbro, which is commonly referred to as 'black granite' but is not actually granite.

[@ronniebishop2496]

Ok thank you. Is it a hard rock or soft?

[@sergeantmasson3669]

Freedom has a price that the protected will never know.

[@sagestrings869]

Vietnam looks real freee doesnt it

[@sergeantmasson3669]

@@sagestrings869 who is to blame that Vietnam is no longer free? Allied forces damn sure not at fault. If you never served there, your argument is invalid/worthless.

[@stefthorman8548]

@@sergeantmasson3669 i mean, as an anti-communist, US citizen, all you guys did in Vietnam was bomb villages, kill/rape civilians wholesale, then leave the south to fend for themselves after the media reported about it. this war wasn't about "Freedom", it was about cold war politics.

[@EddieKuznetsova]

Lin is absolutely an American icon

[@Countrymusicnumber1]

wow that was amazing

[@coffeemug3009]

Can't believe her teacher gave her a B grade over this.

[@malkavian6]

not only that. as someone looking at it like i am through pictures.. (not american never been to this memorial) i see only reflections. reflections of the everyday person who just through the lottery of birth never had to worry about the draft, going to this specific war

[@kingarchnyc]

Remember some veteran group criticizing it as a scar... kind of agree a little...

[@veraarmstrong9656]

Justice for him and others is overdue....

[@JoachimderZweite]

Bad American men did this to America's sons and many large industries profited. Who remembers them now?

[@ronniebishop2496]

Bell helicopters owned by Michael Paines step father who Lee Harvey Oswald lived with. Get it?

[@jainck4]

I thought Lin was an artist not an architect? Why do you choose architect rather than artist? Just curious.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

She is both!

[@tomm4423]

Perhaps the location should be across the street from the Capital, the V facing the steps and columns. To plant seeds of thought in the congress people?

[@ronniebishop2496]

The two ends point to Washington memorial and Lincoln monument. So to me that’s perfect. But I like your idea.

[@vintage1950]

That’s a lot of people who lost their lives ☹️

[@danzo5521]

@@Milo09298 be respectful

[@DP-eo5xd]

Having been there you walk from left to right and sink into the earth. The names keep going and going and going. It’s sad 😢