Name: Charles Chawalko
Showdown of the Cold Warriors
Age: 16

For about forty years, the U.S. was engulfed in the Cold War, a war for Capitalism and Democracy to prevail over Communism and Autocracy. Relations with the Soviet Union rode like a rollercoaster where one year it could be positive but another year, it could be on the brink of the war. The Cold War was a significant era of communist hunting to nuclear weapon build-up and is the closest resemblance to our world after 9/11. After my experiences of 9/11 in Downtown, Manhattan, my love of history has grown due to the common quote, “History repeats itself.” The world we live in currently closely resembles the unsettling calm before the storm. Like the Cold War, there is a small chance that each day could be the end.

My intervention focuses on the world and time period of the Cold War and how America defeated the Soviet Union. The fountains on the side of the pathway to the entrance will spray water on fire to extinguish it on hourly intervals. This is symbolic of blue defeating red (Capitalism defeating Communism). There will also be interactive stations within the Guggenheim for visitors to experience previously impossible things. Though not shown, the open half of the nuclear missile will reveal a spiral staircase to allow visitors to reach the top and observe a replica nuclear warhead. Chrome and brick would be the main materials used in the construction of the installation.

Chrome is used to represent the Modern Age of the world and being a common color of ballistic missiles, it works on many levels. Brick would be used as a contrast to the silver chrome. Daniel Buren’s Eye of the Store inspired me to make use of the center of the oculus. This is why I decided to align the decommissioned nuclear missile with the center of the oculus.

This will also contain elements of how America will prevail in eliminating the international terrorism that haunts us everyday. The optimism of America in the Cold War can and will help us today. Though our enemies today are invisible, we will defeat them with the same courage and resilience that has followed us since the American Revolution.

 

 

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Can you explain what materials you have used in your design?
How do you intend for people to interact with your design?