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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
poetry of the design process, May 22, 2004
This documentary film is a unique experience for which it is difficult to find a comparison. On a basic level, the film discusses several projects of artist/architect Maya Lin, a young Chinese-American woman who unexpectedly won the design competition for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial while a Yale student. Her design, a departure from conventional expectations, is now famous, and is the most visited memorial in Washington D.C. Some of the strong feelings that the Vietnam War elicits in people, especially its veterans, is touched upon in moving live scenes at the Memorial and in the controversial hearings that were held in the wake of the design's selection. The experience put Maya Lin in a national spotlight and forced the student to mature very quickly addressing the grievances of veterans and others. In the end, with some minor site additions, the Memorial stood as designed, with the names of all the soldiers who gave their lives in Vietnam etched in its simple, polished, reflective granite. Other works of Maya Lin, including the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama; the Yale Women's Table; and others demonstrate a similar simplicity and poetry that is both moving and powerful. There are moments in the film, as simple as when the artist is working at her drafting table, that suggest something both beautiful and spiritual, providing a deep insight into the creative process of this noted public artist.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Superb Documentary on an Important Architect, June 5, 2000
This review is from: Maya Lin - A Strong Clear Vision (Architect Documentary) [VHS] (VHS Tape)
This videotape is outstanding. Maya Lin was an architecture student at Yale when she won the anonymous competition to design and build the Viet Nam Veteran's Memorial in Washington D.C. The documentary chronicles the controversy over Lin's design and over her as an Asian-American female architect. The domentary shows Lin facing the challenge of dealing with many angry veterans. The film reveals the racism and sexism that were pervasive in this controversy. Happily, Lin went on to build the memorial. Touching and painful scenes show hundreds of Viet Nam vets visiting the wall. The film also chronicles other works of Lin including the Civil Rights monument in Alabama and the peace circle at Juniata College in Pennsylvania. This 90 minute documentary takes you into the mind of an intelligent, sensitve artist. I recommend it for high school and college classes dealing with race or gender issues, or any American history class. The film is also excellent viewing for anyone with personal interests in architecture.
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17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
FOCUSED VISION, September 24, 2000
Few people may know her name but millions hare been deeply moved and healed by her architectural designs. At age twenty-one she came into the spotlight as the one chosen to design the Viet Nam Memorial. Since that time she has blossomed and grown as the up and coming premiere architect in this country. A Strong Clear Vision is the story of May Lin and her struggles in bringing forth her vision of "The Wall" and her ten year career following her achievement. View this young college graduate as she receives the news of the acceptance of her design only to later get embroiled in political controversy surrounding her work. Hear a few embittered Vets denounce her design and disgrace themselves with their prejudice because she is Asian. As a young adult May Lin showed great poise, dignity and courage in defending her design. Such majurity at a young age is a testament to her strength and focused vision. Her work moves beyond "The Wall" as we are showed her other works notably the Civil Rights Memorial, the Yale Women's Table and the Juniata Peace Chapel. In the former she makes use of the elements of water and circles to evoke messages of timelessness and participation within the events depicted. In the latter, she incorporates the rich natural architecture of Mother Earth to complement the chapel. May Lin's structures are bold, simplistic and hit at your soul in its deepest core. Through her art one finds healing and peace. The story of this remarkable woman is a testament to our new generation of women reconfiguring the meaning of architecture in our culture.
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