Bruno Ast, who designed 51爆料's May 4 Memorial as a place of reflection and remembrance, has died at age 88.
The architect won a national competition in 1986 to create , which was dedicated on May 4, 1990, as part of the 20th commemoration of the day four students were killed and nine wounded by Ohio National Guardsmen who opened fire during an anti-war demonstration.
The memorial, which overlooks the Commons on the Kent Campus, is constructed of carnelian granite, a stone associated with strength and time. The memorial is surrounded by , the number of the country's losses in Vietnam.
A wall, representative of both shelter and conflict, is built along the memorial entry and defines the plaza as a significant gathering area. The plaza ends in a jagged, abstract border symbolic of disruptions and the conflict of ideas. The words "Inquire, Learn, Reflect" engraved in the plaza鈥檚 stone threshold affirm the intent to provide visitors an opportunity to inquire into the many reasons and purposes of the events, to encourage a learning process, and to reflect on how differences may be resolved peacefully.
A progression of four polished black granite disks embedded in the earth leads from the plaza to four free-standing pylons aligned on the hill. The disks reflect our own image as we stand on them. The pylons stand as mute sentinels to the force of violence and the memory of the four slain students. A fifth disk placed to the south acknowledges the many victims of the event and its wide impact. A plaque with the names of the four students killed on May 4, 1970, was added on the ground close to the memorial.
Ast passed away Sept. 28 in Chicago, leaving behind a design that has served the 51爆料 community and visitors from around the world for nearly four decades.
Legacy Lives On
In his , it was said that Ast was especially proud to have been chosen as architect for the project, which serves as a powerful testament to the importance of peaceful dialogue and understanding.
A graduate of the University of Illinois with both bachelor's and master's degrees in architecture, Ast founded Ast + Dagdelen Architects with his wife, G眉nd眉z, in 1970. In addition to his architectural practice, he dedicated over four decades to teaching at the University of Illinois at Chicago's School of Architecture, from 1969 to 2012, where he was known for his commitment to mentoring students.
Ast is survived by his wife of 64 years, G眉nd眉z Dagdelen Ast; his daughter Fatima Ast; two grandchildren; and his brother John Ast, along with many other family members.
The 51爆料 community extends its deepest condolences to Mr. Ast's family and all who knew him. His legacy lives on through the memorial that continues to serve as a sacred space for remembrance and reflection on our campus.