Frank Gehry’s Eisenhower Memorial opens in Washington

Frank Gehry-designed Eisenhower Memorial, which took 20 years to be created, has recently opened to the public, just off the National Mall in Washington. The project was first commissioned by Congress in 1999 in order to honor the legacy of the World War II Supreme Allied Commander.

The dedication of the memorial marks the end of many years of work between the Gehry and the Eisenhower Memorial Commission, as well as designers, artists, construction teams and others that worked on the project.

The memorial features three bronze sculptures of Eisenhower by sculptor Sergey Eylanbekov, stone bas relief images and inscription panels. Framing the entire park and Memorial is a stainless steel woven tapestry by artist Tomas Osinski, which depicts the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc on the Normandy coastline in peacetime.

“I am proud to honor Kansas’ favorite son with the unveiling of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial. This memorial pays tribute to Ike’s historic leadership as both Supreme Allied Commander and the 34th President of the United States, who hailed from Abilene, Kansas. The Eisenhower Memorial not only commemorates the life and legacy of an extraordinary man; it also stands as a symbol for all generations of the promise of America and what our values make possible here and around the world.”, said Senator Pat Roberts, chairman of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission.

https://www.archdaily.com/947586/frank-gehrys-eisenhower-memorial-finally-set-to-open