As we visited the monuments on Wednesday, I think one important question to ask was:
Why are people flocking here? Essentially what they come to view are pieces of stone and marble. Shaped into Lincoln, for example, they are statues, artwork, symbols.
It was my first time at the monuments, and while I had not read up on the history and background Lincoln’s Memorial, thus losing out on one “dimension,” I have to say observing the reactions of visitors still made for a meaningful, 4-D experience. Consciously annotating certain popular quirks, instead of staring blankly and nodding approvingly at the marble, was enlightening.
The interviews were a brilliant idea (kudos Justin!). Amidst many people whose visits were justified by the must-see-things-DC guidebook, answers were generic. True, it’s “beautiful” and “grand,” “powerful,” and a picture might be worthwhile for the scrapbook. Thankfully another variety had actual input, as well as an in-depth analysis. Meeting with art students analyzing architecture and young professionals questioning the verity of Lincoln’s presentation granted us an insight to how, why, and based on what concepts the Memorial was constructed.
The story-based sharing format in Friday’s class also helped answer why groups and individuals do certain things, especially when facing inanimate objects of rock that symbolically represent something to them. I was especially struck by the Vietnam Vet’s left purple heart. Wouldn’t it be incredible to catch the individual in the sentimental act of placing it? What was his purpose, what was the connection he had felt, and the sacrifice he felt comfortable to take?
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment