A memorial to the Iraq War proposed in Boston Common. The goal is to acknowledge the deceased while facilitating what is needed most for easing tensions between the U.S. and the Arab regions: dialogue.

We chose Boston Common as a location for its rich history of political progress and also because Logan Airport was the origination of the flights of the 9/11 attacks.

An arch spans an intersection of footpaths in the center of the park. Its central, perhaps obstructive location makes the memorial, and therefore the issues, virtually unavoidable. Screens on the inside of the arch show digital images of Iraqi casualties on one side and U.S. casualties on the other side. The images shown are of both soldiers and civilians.

Symbolically, the arch links the two sides together. Also, the parabolic shape is designed to conduct sound along the arch from one side to the other. Any whispers from one side would be transmitted clearly to the opposite side, although out of earshot of people seated on the benches.

The benches are close in proximity, encouraging people to gather together in their grief. The shape of the two benches suggest the shape of an open mouth.

Design Team: Cara Blaine, Steven Bober, Mike Eng