![]() It’s a radical change in memorial design for a man Susan says “embraced traditional values.” Without question, Gehry’s barefoot boy turns the traditional hero memorial on its head, emphasizing Eisenhower’s humble origins rather than his accomplishments. It’s the statue that has caused much of the criticism. Bas reliefs modeled after famous photographs of Eisenhower as both general and president will also be in the park, with the statue of young Ike looking toward them. The current design also includes a statue of Eisenhower as a young boy, whereas the initial plan had no statuary. Instead, they will show images of the Kansas landscape in winter, in keeping with the “barefoot boy” theme. Many people assumed that these tapestries would showcase images of Eisenhower’s life as general and president. Made of woven steel, this metal curtain is the focal point. Most of the concerns stem from the planned 80-foot tapestries and large steel columns, 11 feet in diameter, that will frame the memorial’s four-acre park. Currently, the National Capital Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a hearing for preliminary approval of Gehry’s concept in February. It has evolved with each subsequent hearing and meeting, as tends to happen with large memorial projects in Washington. The design has also been the subject of debate among various regulatory agencies that must approve it, such as the Commission on Fine Arts and National Capital Planning Commission. “When I look at this memorial, I don’t see any bit of him in it.” “I just don’t think Dwight Eisenhower is remembered because he was a barefoot boy from Kansas,” said Susan. Focusing on his childhood rather than his accomplishments is an unexpected approach to memorial design, and to the Eisenhower family, it is inappropriate. The controversy surrounding Gehry’s concept stems from what he calls “the barefoot boy” from Kansas, a phrase taken from Eisenhower’s homecoming speech in Abilene, Kan., after the Second World War. Together, this team has produced a plan that, to Susan and many of its critics, looks like a theater stage set. Gehry chose set designer Robert Wilson to collaborate on the design. In 2010, the commission approved Gehry’s unconventional memorial design. ![]() Sometimes called the most famous “starchitect” in the world, he’s the type of avant-garde architect who injects movement into steel. ![]() In late 2008, the commission selected Frank Gehry to design the memorial. Eisenhower as both the supreme commander of the allied forces in Europe during World War II and the 34th president of the United States. Congress created the Eisenhower Memorial Commission in 1999, and charged it with memorializing Dwight D. The groundbreaking of the Eisenhower Memorial is scheduled for early 2012. “We understand that not everyone cares what we think,” said Susan, an energy specialist and Washington area resident who has a commanding presence reminiscent of the president she calls “Granddad.” “The truth is we care what we know, and I don’t think my grandfather would be comfortable with the scale and scope of this design.” ![]() What is their role in the creation of a memorial for the man who meant so much to so many? Aesthetic concerns.īut there’s a more essential problem for the Eisenhowers. “We have some serious concerns about the design,” said Susan, 59, one of the four grandchildren of the 34th president of the United States. Eisenhower would be humbled that a memorial in his honor is about to be built just south of the Mall. Susan Eisenhower wants you to know that she’s grateful. ![]()
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