The artwork titled “Vietnam Veterans Memorial,” created by Maya Lin between 1980 and 1982, belongs to the movements of Environmental (Land) Art and Post-Minimalism. It is an installation genre piece, embodying significant artistic and cultural essence.
The artwork itself features a strikingly minimalist design comprising long, black granite walls arranged in a V-shape, partially sunken into the earth. These walls, which reflect the surroundings, list the names of over 58,000 fallen U.S. service members from the Vietnam War, etched in chronological order of their death or disappearance. The memorial gracefully blends with its natural environment, evoking a somber and contemplative atmosphere. The stark contrast between the dark granite and the surrounding landscape, especially against the backdrop of a snow-covered ground and leafless trees, enhances the emotional resonance and solemnity of the space.
