The Messages Maya Lin Carries in Her Artwork

Maya Lin is an imaginative and artistic American architect and sculptures who is best known for her memorials. She is recognized for going through the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War. Her best-known work is the formation of the Vietnam memorial in Washington D.C. and which also happens to one of the most visited memorials in D.C. Lin’s architectural projects have brought emphasis on stability. Due to her high-profile work, she has been able to connect with different age groups through the rich history and her vision. She has created a vision that many viewers intake a sense of sensitivity and patriotism. As a soldier myself, it is an honor to read about such an influential woman such as Maya Lin and her valor idea to create a v-shape memorial that represents all the Vietnam soldiers, marines, airmen, and sailors' name equally is far beyond admirable. In her breath-taking Vietnam memorial, she carved more than 58,000 heroes names in a dress right dress order; whether they have been killed or were considered missing in action. Although, the Vietnam War was one the coldest wars throughout history the polished, v-shaped granite wall, with each side measuring 247 feet tall has brought a great amount of connection for tourists across the nation.

Maya Lin’s aesthetic and charisma towards art has imprinted many of her audiences with a momentous message. Along with many other talented artists who create a meaningful piece of they leave a message behind. For example, Ralph Helmick is an American sculpture and public artist who has worked with sustained glass, cast resin, metal, and large public sculptures. Helmick is an artist who truly embraces art and science into his work. Alike Lin, Helmick’s sculpture objects also have a clear direction inspired by world events. For instance, both artists provide a visual and conceptual observation that presents perspective, scale, and longstanding strands of arts and politics. One of many significant sculptures from Helmick is the Stevie Ray Vaughn figurine. The Stevie Ray sculpture is located near the middle point of the Auditorium Shores Park, along the walkway area overlooking Lady Bird Lake. Stevie Ray’s memorial is a bronze sculpture that stands 8-foot-tall and is sculptured as if he was performing. Stevie Ray was an influential and beloved musician who proclaimed Austin was his home but truly was originally from Dallas. Stevie Ray had played a huge rule in the music industry, especially for the music city capital of the world. Through his music, he was able to connect and share with the world the power of art. His death was a tragedy that truly carried horrific pain throughout the country. To keep Stevie Ray’s legacy alive Helmick built a sculpture in his memory with the help of visual elements such as form, shape, and texture the sculpture stands pridefully tall.

Sculptures are a representation of art and form a three-dimensional shape that helps viewers gain a sense of a real element. Helmick uses form to modify the appearance of the sculptures seem natural, express a sensational meaning in itself, and present formalism. In this illustration, Helmick constructs Vaughn in his rock-n-roll attire. Stevie Ray is standing tall with his left hand holding onto his guitar and right hand almost holding onto pulse. His attire definitely feeds off 80’s vibes with his flat-brimmed hat, poncho, and stiff boats. This genuinely signifies Vaughan’s constant change in his world. His attire is a representation of how simplistic he was as an individual. He made friends easily with the appeal of courage and adaptability. Also, Helmick emphasis on the guitar that Vaughan is holding. The importance of each detail he added to sculpture from placing the guitar in the hand he played from to present to the world an emotional tribute. Even from a three-dimensional form, this piece of art draws various attention from multiple tourists because of its distinctive form.

Helmick’s sculptures are made by many distinct elements that establish different sizes and a variety of shapes. The madness behind his artistic eye is that shape helps create a complex drawing in which develops an effect on composition and impacts the balance within his projects. Stevie Ray’s sculpture forms a boundary of an element that also introduces line. With Vaughn’s guitar, you can see the descriptive anatomy lines of the neck, nut, fretboard, pickguard, and saddle. To a musician or someone who is a fan of Stevie Ray, it is meaningful that Helmick took his time when being specific with each detail of the sculpture. When you see his sculpture, you can hear his music in your mind and visualize the moment of his fingers on the guitar. The Stevie Ray Vaughn monument is an extended bronze texture. Allowing tourists and locals to put their hands all over the sculpture without damaging it. Helmick’s decision to create the Vaughn sculpture bronze was due to the sturdiness in which reflects the art to portray itself confident and determined. In which the bronze sculpture shares the same qualities as the artist behind the figurine. The memorial was first built in 1993 and it still tall more beautiful than ever, allowing visitors to interact with the unapologetic realistic figure.

Helmick presents the principles of design emphasis, balance, variety with the help of form, shape, and texture to demonstrate one of the most influential musicians of the revival of the blues. Shape and variety work together to target the deeper composition of Vaughn’s stance. His stance helps his viewers understand the importance of his form and emphasis. His form helps his audience comprehend the significance of personality; strong, bold, and determined to bring back the greatness of the blues guitar to the world. When Helmick created his project, he left a perception of an emphasis, significance, and prominence. Lastly, balance and texture work with one another to present an equal equilibrium. Although the sculpture was built nearly 26 years ago, eras from different age groups can share the same interests in the appreciation of an artist and a musician. His legacy will continue to live forever strong and unforgotten in recognition of Helmick for devoting his time and his compassion by building a memorable memorial.