American politician, Henry Waxman once said, “Memorials become relics if they do not stir our modern conscience.” Americans take great pride in winning intense battles and celebrate these victories in several different ways. Sometimes Americans show pride and gratitude is creating large statues dedicated to important figures or events in history. These statutes and or museums take a lot of dedication and effort to look well established and portray an heroic message. While a group or agency is considering creating a memorial or monument for an event or person, they should remember to consider who this memorial or monument effects, what it represents, and if it is a good task to start in the first place. Important establishments, like memorials and …show more content…
Most memorials are dedicated to a significant person or time in history. However, there have been certain memorials that held almost no representation in historic times or modern times. One such memorial would be, “The Main Lobsterman”, created by H. Elroy Johnson, which is talked about in Source F (Roadside America). H. Elroy Johnson made a living trapping lobsters and he created this statue to be a part of the Maine exhibit at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. While this statue seemed to have a copious amount of meaning, it was described as, “The statue was vandalized, repaired, and ended up in a warehouse where it was eaten by rats” (Roadside America)."The Maine Lobsterman" did not represent a useful or significant event or person in history, so virtually no one paid attention to this statue and no one actively fought for it to be kept in society. If memorials or monuments do not show, or represent something that is important and valuably, then it should not be created in the first place. Moreover, the task of developing and creating a memorial is a very extensive process that takes a lot of preparation and
Monuments and museums are arenas of public history and for the formation and articulation of identities and narratives.[1] Decisions taken as to the formation of museums and the selection, display and organisation of exhibits are influenced by criteria which are not necessarily politically neutral; these may especially involve devices of political elites to emphasise aspects of communal togetherness and thus exert control over communities.[2] Memory and commemoration of past events and generations is by its nature a political and contested act, especially in sharply divided societies.[3] It is no surprise that recently established governments and states should particularly concern themselves with the production of such forms of festivities, commemorations, and monuments.[4] As rulers of a sharply divided society, unionist elites in Northern Ireland in the aftermath of its eventful creation in 1920-1 had particular reasons to concern themselves, and did concern themselves, with such strategies of power.[5] The integration of the province's Catholic minority may have been, or may have been felt to be, beyond the rulers of Northern Ireland;[6] but this very fact heightened the importance of preserving the highest possible degree of political unity under unionist hegemony among the Protestant majority.[7]
The Korean War Veterans Memorial is an ominous depiction of an American squad on patrol alongside a 164 foot mural wall, to show that freedom is not free. The memorial is dedicated to those who served in the Korean War but more importantly those of them who were killed in action, are still missing in action, or were held as prisoners of war. The memorial was created by Frank Gaylord and Louis Nelson. The objective of the memorial is to remind the public of the dedication to the United States of the men and women who served in the Korean War. The memorial was designed to show the trials and tribulations that many of the military personnel faced during the war.
Roadside memorials are seen on the side of a street or highway often times after the passing of a loved one in a car accident. While a grave marks where a body is finally laid, the roadside memorial marks the last place where a person was alive. The memorial is usually kept up by family and close friends and is decorated with flowers, messages, and a cross or plaque. However, often times controversial, these families believe that their moral authority to remember a loved one trumps any governmental regulations set in place.
After examining Sternfeld’s portafolio, i believe his photographs do show what a memorial is, and what it should do. The first photo shows Mount Rushmore national memorial, Mount Rushmore displays the faces of four great presidents and it's a symbol for us to remember our history and to learn who who those presidents were and what they did to earn their memorial site. The second picture shows a 1950’s grocery store. This particular memorial tells a story and shows how much racism was alive and how easy it was for a black person to lose its life over something really minor. It also shows how white men ran the political and judicial system. The third photogram shows the site of what used to be a research site for the United States army. The
The Jefferson Memorial is a testimonial to the past, present, and future of the United States. Its architecture, like most neo-Classical buildings, gives a sense of permanence. This permanence has a history far older than many would suspect. Centuries ago and thousands of miles away a building was erected that would later become the model for which many other buildings, including the Jefferson Memorial, are based upon. This building is the Roman Pantheon. Though the Jefferson Memorial borrows the basic form and elements from the Pantheon, the Memorial has distinctive differences from its predecessor.
Everyday men are willing to lay down their lives for the honor of their country. Everyday foreigners are fighting to earn the right to be called an American. They do this to gain and fulfill the meaningful life of an American citizen. Memorial sculptures such as the Iwo Jima were established to honor the men that died fighting for the principles in which they believed. 2 This particular sculpture symbolizes a major victory for the American soldiers that helped liberate Jews from Nazi control.3 This country represents a strong independent nation, as well as a trustworthy...
Tom Van Putten served nine years in the U.S. Army, two of which were spent in Vietnam. In a phone interview with Tom, I asked him if he had ever visited the monument. In fact, he did and he discussed with me how hard it was to see a dozen names of men he knew that were put on that wall. "It's really an awesome monument; it is hard remembering what it was like coming home. I was definitely changed for life " (Van Putten).
Thousands of people visit that each year. Was it invading a graveyard to make a memorial for a catastrophe? I know a lot of people who would say no. People go into the 9/11 museum and pay their respects. When I went, I was amazed. I was too young to fully understand what happened myself, but going to the museum put everything into a terrible perspective for me. It taught me what my family had to go through and experience. It helped me feel all of the victim’s pain. If the Titanic was done the same justice, I think that kids like me could know what it was like to die in such a horribly unjust way, because it happened before any of us could truly understand what it was like at the
Not only are military heroes buried at Arlington, but memorials have also been built to honor others who have given their lives for America. The memorials that are located throughout Arlington tell a story about people throughout American history (Reef 43). Each year families walk the endless rows of white head stones at Arlington in order to pay their respects to the ones that have given their lives for America.
History has a strange way of coming back around when it comes to human civilization. It has been said repeatedly that those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it. However, just because there is a potential for danger in the future, this does not mean that humanity must ignore what once was. History is normally remembered through what is known as a memorial. When a memorial is put into a physical representation, it is then known as a monument.The need to memorialize events or people is complex; in some cases, monuments honor moments of great achievement, while in other cases, monuments pay homage to deep sacrifice. A monument's size, location, and materials are all considerations in planning and creating a memorial to the past. Examples of such feats are the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and even Mount Rushmore. For the latter of the
A memorable monument is a historical structure that represents a significant person or event. They are designed to show the importance of either the person or event. Monuments are intended to last forever so the subject will never be forgotten to society. The factors that should be considered when creating a memorable monument are that the subject must be powerful and meaningful to society and the design should resemble the significance of the subject. These factors help communicate the magnitude of the individual or group’s sacrifice, as well as honor moments of great achievement in history.
In front of the wall, a stone has written on it, “Here we mark the price of freedom.” The memorial consists of bronze and granite. The designers chose these materials because they are water-resistant, aesthetically appealing, and
Americans have often used art to symbolize the relationship between themselves and their history. Therefore, art is used to honor and remember someone or an event where people died, through a memorial. As an example, The National World War II Memorial is a memorial to honor and remember the people who served in World War II. The success or failure of a memorial depends on how well it represents the image that people have of a certain person or event. Especially in America because they find the construction of a national monument so controversial that no memorial has been erected in the National Mall without a discussion. The National World War II Memorial on the National Mall was a poor addition; its location diminishes the formerly open space between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, its design is vague, and it is a poor choice even when compared with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. A very good start.
In the age of near-sentient technology, people often forget about the sacrifices made by the brave men and women to get us to where we are today. Most people know November 11th as “Remembrance Day”, or simply to mark the end of the first world war. Despite the general classifications of this day, the significance of this date is much greater than perceived. On this day, we remember and honour the military personnel who served, are currently serving, and those who will serve in the future. After listening to the stories of these peace keepers, I developed a distinct respect towards these heroes for the sacrifices and risks they took in the hopes of preserving the peace and prosperity back home were far greater than I had imagined.
Monuments are a symbol of a significant time in history. Monuments represent life, death, success, and struggle just to name a few. They have become as important to society as the events they represent. They bring history alive to new generations and memories to those who experience them firsthand. Monuments create a bridge between generations. Many parents feel a certain indescribable joyfulness when they see the look in their child’s eyes they had went they viewed the same monument.