Author: Leslie Schultz, Fourth Year, Psychology and Religious Studies
Amount Requested: $1,438.00
The proposal’s purpose is to study the dynamic sociological, cultural and national functions of memorials. Research will first illuminate how memorials dedicated to World War II and the Vietnam War have not only materially reflected sentiment of the time, but also how they have elicited particular responses from Americans. The research will then investigate, through observational, descriptive and qualitative research endeavors, how the Ground Zero memorials not only symbolize, but also have the power to alter American attitudes regarding a multitude of issues.
It is hypothesized that because the WWII and Vietnam Veterans Memorial played a monumental role in shaping the cultural climate, the proposed World Trade Center Site Memorial will also play an integral role in shaping how Americans deal with the 9/11 attacks and its aftermath. However, because the memorial deals with a very different set of circumstances and ideology compared to the other memorials, its effects remain unknown.
Consequently, it is necessary to test these hypotheses through an analysis of past literature related to monument architecture and construction, conduct interviews and surveys among the New York population, and distribute further questionnaires through the internet in order to obtain a more representative sample. The results will shed light on the dynamic function memorials play in public space.
This will establish a framework useful to architects, anthropologists, political leaders, and the general public trying to understand, process, and interpret history, and then appropriately react to events in the future. It will explore the extraordinary power that is inherent in memorials, demonstrating the implications for modern society. Ultimately, research will revolutionize how people understand reconstruction of the past through memorials’ materiality, providing outlets of hope, restoration, contemplation, and societal advancement.
