Competing in a 1981 national competition against 1,420 other entries, an unknown undergraduate at Yale University named Maya Ying Lin was selected as the winner for her design for the Vietnam Memorial. Her concept was simple and inspirational:
She wanted to create a park within a park – a quiet protected place onto itself, yet harmonious with the overall plan of Constitution Gardens. The walls have a mirror-like surface (polished black granite) reflecting the images of the surrounding trees, lawns, monuments, and visitors. The walls seem to stretch into the distance, directing us towards the Washington Monument, in the east, and the Lincoln Memorial, to the west, thus bring the Vietnam Veterans Memorial into a historical context. – The Wall
This is a wonderful example of how art and architectural competitions can result in a great piece of design; an opportunity that otherwise would never have been available to Maya Lin at this point in her life.
