The Deeper Meaning Behind Memorials

Memorials are a place to commemorate and mourn people who lost their lives. Two weeks this was the extent of my knowledge on memorials. It was only after I started studying and analyzing the memorials I understood the thought process behind the location, design, architecture and presentation of each memorial. Now I know that there are different types of memorials like cenotaphs and catafalques. I also learned what each of the elements of a memorial represents toward the bigger picture. For example, in the Missing of the Somme memorial, the large arches represent the space for the people who lost their lives. In Maya Lin's Vietnam War Memorial, the reflection material used for the walls creates a division between our world and the world of the dead. After this knowledge, I was amused at the memorials I had visited in the past. It gave me a whole new perspective of how much thought and consideration went into designing the memorials. But this wasn't the end. When we did a synthesis activity, I learned that people have different opinions on memorials. I also learned that there is controversy behind many memorials. People disagree with where and how each memorial was built. Like with the Crazy Horse Memorial, people were mad that it destroyed nature. After learning about this, I was more appreciative and impressed by memorial designers because of the pressure and stress they may experience. If there's one thing to take away, it is that memorials are not simple structures, but pieces of art that have gone through major development and planning, which is not easy to pull off. Memorials remind us of our history and the people who stood up to make things right.

Comments

  1. Aswin GopinathSeptember 10, 2023 at 1:06 PM

    Before I learnt deeply on memorials and about their designs, I was just like you, I didnt know anything about them and I always thought they were just built and I didnt know about how much planning and thought went to it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousMay 9, 2024 at 5:15 AM

      Thank you for the comment Asian

      Delete
  2. Arnav ChittiproluSeptember 10, 2023 at 2:24 PM

    Hello Thaneshwar, I agree to many of the points you listed above in your response, specifically your insight on the Crazy Horse Memorial. Just to add on to your point about the Crazy Horse memorial, many Native Americains in that area believe that this memorial is also taking up a lot of time and resources. They believe that they could use this time and resources to help out the Native Americans who are struggling. Also, out of all the memorials we went over the past two weeks, which one stood out the most to you?

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  3. ArjunSeptember 10, 2023 at 2:25 PM

    Similar to your experience I've been enlightened by our discussions in class and I have a new view on memorials.

    ReplyDelete

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