"I started studying what the nature of a monument is and what a monument should be. And for the World War III memorial I designed a futile, almost terrifying passage that ends nowhere"

Maya Lin's quote talks to her idea process when designing the World War III memorial. She wished to develop a monument that would properly reflect the gravity of the situation and the feelings related to it. By studying the nature of monoliths, she had the ability to create a design that would stimulate a sense of futility and horror. The memorial she developed is a passage that leads no place, representing the catastrophe of war and the lack of resolution it brings. Through her style, she was able to capture the emotions of those affected by the war and create a monolith that would serve as a reminder of the repercussions of war. Her style is a powerful suggestion of the value of peace and the need to prevent future wars.