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I saw the Vietnam Veterans Memorial not as an object placed into the earth but as a cut in the earth that has then been polished, like a geode.
Maya Lin
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is seen as a natural part of the earth, symbolizing both loss and beauty.

Maya Lin perceives the Vietnam Veterans Memorial as more than just a physical structure; she views it as an integral part of the landscape, a polished cut that reflects the emotional weight of sacrifice and remembrance. This metaphor highlights the memorial's intention to blend with nature while serving as a poignant reminder of those who have served in the Vietnam War.

Themes

VietnamMemorialArtLossBeautyRemembrance

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used during a memorial service to honor veterans.

More from Maya Lin

My parents are both college professors, and it made me want to question authority, standards and traditions.
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I try to give people a different way of looking at their surroundings. That's art to me.
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How we are using up our home, how we are living and polluting the planet is frightening. It was evident when I was a child. It's more evident now.
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Sometimes you have to stop thinking. Sometimes you shut down completely. I think that's true in any creative field.
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A lot of my works deal with a passage, which is about time. I don't see anything that I do as a static object in space. It has to exist as a journey in time.
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When I was building the Vietnam Memorial, I never once asked the veterans what it was like in the war, because from my point of view, you don't pry into other people's business.
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