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KENNEDY MEMORIAL
1158 otázku odeslal(a) js v Sobotu 20.Července 2002 20:15:04
From the board:
Kennedy memorial Trust
The memorial
The monument was designed by Sir Geoffrey A.Jellicoe, C.B.E.Jellicoe based the design of the memorial of a series of ideas in which he managed to harmonise five elements - the site, the path, the memorial stone, the view across Runnymede, and the seats to enjoy this marvellous view.
The overall theme is that of Bunyan's Pilgrim Progress - one of LIFE, DEATH and SPIRIT.
Thus the monument is of three parts - STEPS, STONE and SEATS.
The inspiration for the conversion of the analogy into landscape reality came from two early 16th century renaissance paintings by Giovanni Bellini and Georgione Castelfranco.
The John F Kennedy Memorial
The JFK Memorial is Britain's tribute to the 35th president of the United States of America - John Fitzgerald Kennedy - who was assasinated on the 22nd of Nov. 1963 during a visit to Dallas, Texas.
Following his sudden and tragic death, it was decided by the House of Commons on the 10th of Dec. 1963 that a memorial should be erected in his memory.
Runnymede was chosen as the site because of its connection with freedom, justice and human liberty. Under the JFK Memorial Act one acre of land at Runnymede, forming part of the Crown Estate, was transferred to and vested in the United States of America, by way of a gift from Her Majesty the Queen and her Government.
The Steps of individuality
The M. is entered from the flat, but often wet meads of Runnymede, throuht a gate.
Once a visitor, who is assumed to be a 'pilgrim', passes through this gate he or she steps onto American soil and into the allegory of life, death and spirit.
The gate gives access to a pathway of 60,000 individual axe-hewn Portuguese granite setts, which rise steeply through the surrounding woodland. There are 50 steps in all, each representing an individual state in the USA.
The setts can also be seen to represent a multitude of pilgrims on their progress through life to enlightenment. Each step is unigue and each sett has been laid at random.
The craftsmen were unable to comprehend this need for individuality and could only complete their task when the steps were likened to the uneven appearance of a crowd at a football match.
The seats of contemplation
To the right of the stone block is the terrace walk. This is deliberately detached from the threshold steps, giving the impression of leading into the future like Jacob's Ladder.
The walkway leads to two seats which are much larger than is normal. The second seat is smaller the first and is slightly turned inwards.
The seats symbolise the King-Queen relationship.
Equally, the could be seen to represent the President - Consort relationship or the Man - Woman relationship.
The sophisticated design of the JFK Memorial has been fitted into an intentionally natural landscape which is not compromised by neatly cut grass or trim flowerbeads. The intension is to convey the same impression as that of a Greek Temple whose presence lends meaning to the primitive scene.
The whole of the memorial is geometrically and mathematically correct, with the landscape being just as important as the built memorial itself.
The elements of the stone monument blends into the landscape beautifully and the inclusion of a hidden ditch, known as a 'ha-ha', at the base of the slope allows the landscape to look like one continuous stretch both from above and below.
The Woodland
The typical English Woodland with its intentionally un-kept appearance, is an important element of the memorial. It provides a completely enclosed journey to the crest of the slope and to the memorial stone itself.
The Wood symbolises the virility and mystery of nature as a life force and it reflects beatifully the scenario of life, death and spirit as the wood changes naturally throughout the season.
The stone
The centrepiece of the memorial is a seven ton block of Portland Stone carved from a 14ton block of Roach Bed Stone. Shell markings within the block suggest the stone is 100 million years old. The stone bears a dedication, the dates of the President's life and a quotation from Kennedy's inaugural address delivered on the 20th of January 1961.
The hawthorn beside the stone is a symbol of Catholicism, reflecting President Kennedy's religion.
Equally symbolic is the American Scarlet Oak which stands quardian behind the stone. This comes into full colour, a vivid red, in November, at the time of the anniversary of Kennedy's death.
In front of the monument the stone steps widen out into shallow steps to receive the 'pilgrims'.
Here, on the 'treshold steps', the onlookers can enjoy the tranquillity of the stone, and catch their breath after the exertions of the uphill journey.
The stone itself rests on a granite cushion. This represents the shoulders of the multitude, and at last the burden of life can be put down.
At this point all three parts of the analogy of life, death and renewal meet.
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Memorial:
This acre of English ground was given to the United States of America by the people of Britain in memory of JOHN F. KENNEDY born 29 May 1917
president of the United States 1961-63
died by an assassin's hand 22 November 1963
Let every nation know whether it wishes us well or ill
that we shall pay any price bear any burden meet any hardship
support any friend or oppose any foe in order to assure the survival and success of liberty
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Re: KENNEDY MEMORIAL
1 odpověď odeslal(a) js v Sobotu 20.Července 2002 20:16:05
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