Videos

A WORLD OF IDEAS: MAYA LIN

produced and broadcast on PBS in 2003.

At the tender age of 21, Maya Lin became one of the most controversial artists in the United States. Her design for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., came under attack for a variety of reasons, but it would eventually become the most-visited monument in the country. Lin has worked on numerous public and private projects since then. Each has been praised for her creative and expressive treatment of the subject depicted. Some have also been severely criticized and even vandalized. Lin's ability to blend sculpture and architecture has earned her a reputation as one of the most innovative artists working today.

In this 54 minute documentary, she talks with Bill Moyers about being an artist/sculptor and architect --- she talks about a life and a career that has been shaped by her Asian-American heritage and love for the natural environment.

Maya Ying Lin grew up in Athens, Ohio, where her parents were on the faculty of Ohio University. Her father, Henry Lin, was dean of the art school and a ceramic artist. Her mother, Julia Lin, was a poet and professor of Asian and English literature. Both immigrated to the United States from China. She was a top-notch student and after high school was accepted to Yale University in Connecticut.

At Yale she was informed by her professors that she could study either sculpture or architecture, but not both. Lin admits that while she was officially a student in the architecture school, she used to sneak over to the art school to take sculpture classes. This double interest has been a curse and a blessing throughout Lin's career.

Growing up in Athens, Ohio she articulates the idea of first being an American but then facing the fact that Americans will not let her abandon her Asian American identity.

Rights: Educational rights only, permitting the use of this video in front of groups providing no admission is charged for viewing. This video cannot be broadcast or duplicated.