A Rift in the Earth: Art, Memory, and the Fight for a Vietnam War Memorial by James Reston, Jr.
A Rift in the Earth: Art, Memory, and the Fight for a Vietnam War Memorial by James Reston, Jr.
A Rift in the Earth tells the remarkable story of the ferocious "Art War" that raged between 1979 and 1984 over what kind of memorial should be built to honor the men and women who died in the Vietnam War. The story intertwines art, politics, historical memory, patriotism, racism, and a fascinating set of characters, from those who fought in the conflict and those who resisted it to politicians at the highest level. At its center are two enduring figures: Maya Lin, a young Asian-American architecture student at Yale whose abstract design won the international competition but triggered a fierce backlash among powerful figures; and Frederick Hart, an innovative sculptor of humble origins on the cusp of stardom.
James Reston, Jr., a veteran who lost a close friend in the war and has written incisively about the conflict's bitter aftermath, explores how the debate reignited passions around Vietnam long after the war's end and raised questions about how best to honor those who fought and sacrificed in an ill-advised war. Such questions, in the context of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, could not be more relevant today. The book is richly illustrated with design entries from the memorial competition and photographs from the era.
Arcade Publishing, Hardcover, 1st Edition, 1st Printing, 2017
THIS IS A BRAND NEW BOOK. THERE IS A BLACK "CLOSEOUT/REMAINDER" MARK ON THE BOTTOM PAGE EDGES.