ArtH 1801

Memorials and Memorialization

Prof. Dabbs

Review List for Exam #2 (exam on Tues. Nov. 14) ( take-home essay question at end )

*in addition to the links below, and Memorial Mania, another useful sourcebook for most of these memorials is Monuments by J. Dupré (book on reserve in the library – ask at the circulation desk)

The “Breakthrough” Memorial - The VVM (Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, Washington DC), and related works:

Maya Lin, The Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, dedicated 1982; another view

Key names/terms: Jan Scruggs; Minimalism; site-specific

If interested: official website of Maya Lin

Video we saw: Maya Lin, A Strong Clear Vision (in Briggs Library)

For review: why was the VVM original design so controversial? How did Maya Lin defend her work? How was a compromise ultimately achieved?

F. Hart, Three Servicemen, 1984 term: figurative; Realism

G. Goodacre, The Vietnam Women’s Memorial, 1993

“Sculptor’s notes” about the memorial (and additional background info)

Influence of the VVM:

Korean War Veterans Memorial, 1986-1995 (Washington, DC):

Its 3 elements: Soldiers (by Frank Gaylord); Wall (with laser-etched photo images—see website above); Reflecting Pool

Terms: focal point; afocal

For review: how does the Korean War Memorial reflect the influence of the VVM? In what ways is it original? Do the 3 disparate parts tie together?

Victim Memorials:

1) Grace Vanderbilt Whitney, The Titanic Memorial (Washington D.C.), 1931

2) Maya Lin, Civil Rights Memorial (Montgomery, AL), 1988-89 [saw excerpt from “Maya Lin: A Strong, Clear Vision”; video in Briggs Library collection]

Term: asymmetrical

Names: Morris Dees; Southern Poverty Law Center

3) AIDS Memorial Quilt (as displayed on the Mall in Washington DC, 1987), 1987 – present; founder: Cleve Jones (official website)

*for background reading, please see “The AIDS Memorial Quilt: Performing Memory, Piecing Action” by Gregg Stull, which is on e-reserve. There is also a short section in Memorial Mania (see syllabus), and the official website noted above is useful, too.

For review/to consider:

· what are some of the unique design aspects of this collective memorial? (so think about in relation to more permanent memorial forms such as the VVM)

· What are some of the challenges associated with utilizing this medium, and on this scale?

· And what does the Quilt attempt to do, in addition to memorializing individuals who have died of AIDS? (check official website)

The Ethics of Memorialization, and Native American Memorials:

Mount Rushmore National Memorial (creator: G. Borglum; also know Doane Robinson, and what his original role was in this memorial)

Terms: bust-length (showing head/neck/sometimes shoulders of person); half-length;

* e-reserve reading on Rushmore by J. Pomeroy (for possible moodle post)

To consider (did not get to these questions in class, but may still ask for your thoughts about):

· While referred to as a “national memorial,” does Mount Rushmore “fit” the concept of a memorial, as we’ve discussed this semester? (why/not)

· What do you think of having mountains carved into memorials? (consider pros/cons) --- is this something that should continue in the future?

Crazy Horse Memorial (Creator: K. Ziolkowski) [presentation; won’t directly test you on]

Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial [presentation; won’t directly test you on]

Take-home Essay (due Fri. Nov. 17, 4pm, OR earlier is fine, too! Send electronically to dabbsj@morris.umn.edu; worddoc or googledoc, no pdfs, please.)

Topic: “My Future Memorial” (worth 40 pts, out of 100 for entire exam)

Please write a 2-page, DS essay in which you describe and discuss an imagined, future memorial created for you at some point in the future. Happily, money is no object, so I want you to think about a memorial that is not a tombstone, but it must be visual in terms of its primary medium. Speaking of medium, what type of material(s)? Size? Location? Elements? Color? Focal point? (can see your visual analysis handout, also on moodle, if you need more ideas).

As you describe this future memorial, please discuss in relation to at least 3 memorials seen in class this semester; for example, “I liked the use of water in xxx memorial because of [mention reasons; saying because they are “cool” won’t suffice], so it would be incorporated in my memorial as a main element…”.

You may include an illustration, but not required; the main point is to describe, as specifically and as well as you can (yes, spelling/grammar/organization matter on this take-home essay).

Whatever its form, this memorial should reflect YOU, your interests, character, in many respects (so please try to make that clear to the reader, who may not know you very well personally).

[please note: if you are feeling very uncomfortable about this essay topic, let me know in advance of Exam #2, and we’ll figure out an alternative topic for you]