Thoughts From Memorials, Research Paper Example

Memorials are significant to society in that they remind us of the past, present and the future of a particular event. Most of the memorials are dedicated to victims, heroes or leaders who have been scarified willingly or unwillingly for the sake of the country. Two of the most studied and discussed memorials are the 9/11Memorial and the Vietnam Veteran Memorial Commentary.The information on the two memorials has similarities and differences making them ideal in the understanding of the artists responsible for the creation and execution of the landscapes (Art of Social Sciences 551-553).

The information is significant to me seeing as it reminds me of the people that have sacrificed their lives for the better good of the country. The legacy of such people should not be forgotten due to their untimely death, it should instead be commemorated so as to serve as source of hope during difficult times. I am definitely touched by the designs owing to the level of art, emotion and expertise put in each detail.  The Vietnamese memorial created by Maya Lin is located in Washington alongside a number of key monuments in the United States. The memorial comprises of wallsurrounded by trees which signify peace, growth and dedication. Lin places emphasis on the names and details of the soldiers who lost their lives in the war. This is to commemorate their role as enforcers of the American ideologies and principles(Lin 1).

The 9/11 Memorial created by Michael Arad and Peter Walker reflects on the loss of the lives of the victims of the 9/11 bombings. Like Lin, Arad ensures that he captures the serenity of the landscapes through the use of art. His work however, differs from his counterpart in that he uses waterfalls which are surrounded by trees. This displays an element of peace and reflection for the families of the diseased. I think the controversies are reflective of the war and disagreements that occur on a daily basis in the present world. Both artists have revived an immense amount of praise and criticisms of their creation. This shows the lack of unity in society which is reflective of the war and rebellions. I would keep my design to a minimalist monument. The monument would place the focus on the people who lost their lives. It would also act as a source of encouragement and remembrance for the bereaved(Arad and Walker 1).

The memorial I find meaningful other than the two particular memorials is that of Lincoln memorial. The monument is built in recognition of Abraham Lincoln who played a significant role in the unification of the country as a whole(Prior 62). Like most families in the country, I have a veteran in the family. My grandfather took part in the Second World War making him a representative of his country. He is thus a symbol of hope and admiration seeing as he scarified his livelihood for the growth and sustainability of his country.  This increases my understanding of other memorials in that I can relate to the amount of sacrifice soldiers put for the sake of their country. It also inspires me on ways that I can help contribute to the country in terms of remembering and commemorating the diseased (Art of Social Sciences 551-553).

Works Cited

Art of social conscience:551- 553. PDFfile.

Arad, Michael and Walker, Peter.The National September 11 Memorial.2006-2011. New York City, USA.The 9/11 Memorial.Web. 1 Nov. 2012.

Lin, Maya Ying. Vietnam Memorial. 1981-83. The Mall in Washington DC, USA. Vietnam Veterans Memorial Great Buildings.Web. 1 Nov. 2012.

Prior, Nick. Museums and Modernity: Art Galleries and the Making of Modern Culture. Oxford [u.a.: Berg, 2002. Print.