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A Rift in the Earth
November 2019: American History
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A Rift in the Earth by James Reston, Jr. - 4 stars
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This sounds very interesting. I can attest to the power of emotion that comes over you when you stand back and take it all in. I have 2 brother-in-laws who fought in this war. They both came back with scars that will never heal. I am adding this one-thank you for sharing
Joanne wrote: "This sounds very interesting. I can attest to the power of emotion that comes over you when you stand back and take it all in. I have 2 brother-in-laws who fought in this war. They both came back w..."Thanks for your comment, Joanne. I think this is a situation where it would have been a non-issue if the selected design for the memorial had been more "traditional" (and also if the artist was not an American of Chinese descent) but artists are important in society for possessing a different way of looking at the world, as this book points out.
Storm King Art Center is about 40 miles north of my home and I have visited many times. Maya Lin's Wavefields is one of my favorite "sculptures" there. Check out this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW0Cb...
If you are passing through the Hudson Valley, be sure to visit Storm King!
I have visited the Vietnam memorial and was very moved by it. I can't conceive of a more moving tribute to our fallen soldiers.
This sounds good. I read very briefly on this in Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam last year.
Shelly wrote: "Storm King Art Center is about 40 miles north of my home and I have visited many times. Maya Lin's Wavefields is one of my favorite "sculptures" there. Check out this video:
https://www.youtube.co..."
Shelly, thanks for the info. I have also seen her work at the Nevada Museum of Art and the Phoenix Art Museum.
Holly R W wrote: "I have visited the Vietnam memorial and was very moved by it. I can't conceive of a more moving tribute to our fallen soldiers."I have visited it too, and found it an extremely powerful experience.
Booknblues wrote: "This sounds good. I read very briefly on this in Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam last year."I am not familiar with Boots on the Ground and will check into it, thanks!
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Books mentioned in this topic
Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam (other topics)Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam (other topics)
A Rift in the Earth: Art, Memory, and the Fight for a Vietnam War Memorial (other topics)
Anyone who has visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall in Washington D.C. knows first-hand the power of the experience. This book reconstructs the controversy surrounding how it was selected, built, and adjusted in response to criticism. Suffice it to say the backlash against the selection was extremely ugly, including racism, condescension, and politics. In addition, art appreciation naturally varies widely in personal taste and it is often difficult to envision the final product during the design stage. Throw in the many intense opinions about the war, and how and why it was fought, and the stage was set for a flashpoint of discontent.
The author is a Vietnam Veteran, and in the epilogue, he relates the story of his close friend from military training, who died in the Tet offensive. As he looks at the mirrored black granite surface of the wall, he sees his reflection over his friend’s name. It seems like a separate story, but it is a nice way to honor his friend.
The book is well-researched and reported. I very much enjoyed the inclusion of photos of other submissions, poems, literary references, detailed footnotes, and bibliography. If you are interested in public art or curious about how the Vietnam Veterans Memorial came into existence, this book provides a thorough explanation of the process and pitfalls. It highlights the role of art in the healing process.