I am deeply touched by this piece. Thank you for your insights and the connection to something so personal with something so vast. I really appreciated writing that asks me to think deeply about the simple things.
This is profound. I had no idea about the memorial’s controversial origin story! I will never forget visiting it as a girl and seeing all those seemingly endless names. The impact it had on me was severe. The loss was unfathomable. I guess that was the point. What a gift/service bestowed by Maya Lin… and so young!
Also touched my your mother’s memorial bench. What a beautiful remembrance!
Thank you Nyla. So interesting that you saw it as a child and could really feel into the loss by the endless feeling of the list of names. I can't imagine if your parents had brought you to see a traditional, representational bronze of soldiers that it would have anything close to the same impact. It's so powerful to me what this shift into abstraction offered us/continues to offer us collectively as a country. We don't get to experience that very often!
A very nice reflection on the meaning of memorials. Being of the age that sent our friends and brothers into Nam , that war and those times are heavy to this day. I remember well the controversy about The VV Wall, but when I first saw it and touched it, it felt so real, and dynamic.
Thanks for sharing your personal experience of visiting the wall Theresa, and how it impacted you because the war was your generation of friends and family. I love your description of it as "dynamic."
You made me understand not just that what Maya Lin did was extraordinary in terms of the direct impact on the public from the memorial she created -- particularly on Vietnam War veterans and their families and friends -- but also the larger impact on the public's idea of "what a monument should look like." Wow. I had no idea that she completely changed the public's idea of that, with this one grand piece.
As with each issue of "The Pink Teacup", I learn something. Thank you. This one sparked memories of my Mom who died at 100 in 2022. As a graciously modest woman, we were surprised she asked to have her photo on the headstone that was already in place for my Dad, sister and brother who had already passed, but we found a photo at age 95 that was her essence, smiling (likely she had just won a card game). I visit the grave often, and fill up on her love, so glad to see her smiling face.
Oh Karole, thank you for sharing that story. I really like the comfort her photo there provides--it's like she knew ahead of time that would help you all and so she did it. Very beautiful.
A+ Sarah Bush. It was cathartic just to read this beautiful piece. Shakti & tears.
Aw, thank you Be!
The wall. It’s a have to be there to appreciate it. Just like your bench it makes a statement when it is used.
Yes, exactly Julie!
I am deeply touched by this piece. Thank you for your insights and the connection to something so personal with something so vast. I really appreciated writing that asks me to think deeply about the simple things.
Oh thank you Lynne!
Great idea: Mom’s Memorial Bench! My Mom was cremated, hmmm.
YES! Do it.....
One artist making a difference …. Love .
I know, right? Very inspiring. <3
I think she was talking about YOU as the artist. ☺️
This is profound. I had no idea about the memorial’s controversial origin story! I will never forget visiting it as a girl and seeing all those seemingly endless names. The impact it had on me was severe. The loss was unfathomable. I guess that was the point. What a gift/service bestowed by Maya Lin… and so young!
Also touched my your mother’s memorial bench. What a beautiful remembrance!
Thank you Nyla. So interesting that you saw it as a child and could really feel into the loss by the endless feeling of the list of names. I can't imagine if your parents had brought you to see a traditional, representational bronze of soldiers that it would have anything close to the same impact. It's so powerful to me what this shift into abstraction offered us/continues to offer us collectively as a country. We don't get to experience that very often!
I love the fact that it also it reflects the viewers, all come together...
thank you Rhonda! Yes, I totally agree--the reflection of the people looking at it is a huge aspect of how the power of the sculpture!
A very nice reflection on the meaning of memorials. Being of the age that sent our friends and brothers into Nam , that war and those times are heavy to this day. I remember well the controversy about The VV Wall, but when I first saw it and touched it, it felt so real, and dynamic.
Thanks for sharing your personal experience of visiting the wall Theresa, and how it impacted you because the war was your generation of friends and family. I love your description of it as "dynamic."
You made me understand not just that what Maya Lin did was extraordinary in terms of the direct impact on the public from the memorial she created -- particularly on Vietnam War veterans and their families and friends -- but also the larger impact on the public's idea of "what a monument should look like." Wow. I had no idea that she completely changed the public's idea of that, with this one grand piece.
Very inspiring really!
I agree!
As with each issue of "The Pink Teacup", I learn something. Thank you. This one sparked memories of my Mom who died at 100 in 2022. As a graciously modest woman, we were surprised she asked to have her photo on the headstone that was already in place for my Dad, sister and brother who had already passed, but we found a photo at age 95 that was her essence, smiling (likely she had just won a card game). I visit the grave often, and fill up on her love, so glad to see her smiling face.
Oh Karole, thank you for sharing that story. I really like the comfort her photo there provides--it's like she knew ahead of time that would help you all and so she did it. Very beautiful.