Summer Week 6

 Hello, readers!

Welcome back for my week six update on my summer internship at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center (BVMC).

This week was a little different, as I had a brief training session on 3D scanning with Dr. Giroux at the University of Central Florida. Unfortunately, our time was cut short due to some technical difficulties with the equipment.

I also spent some time this week creating a write-up to accompany the 3D models of the trench art we scanned last week. You can read that description below.


"The practice of creating trench art is as old as military conflict itself, but it was World War I that truly defined it, giving the pastime its name and, through technological change, its most classic material, the brass cartridge. Later, the mechanized nature of World War II provided soldiers with greater access to the tools and materials needed to produce these items in greater variety and quantity. Servicemembers transformed materials like spent artillery shells, bullets, and scrap metal into a wide array of artifacts. These objects, often sent home as mementos, became treasured keepsakes and a tangible connection to the experiences of those who served. 

The Senior Curator at the National World War II Museum contends that trench art “provides a window into the actions of our servicemen and women beyond combat,” and that it “commemorates their service and serves as a reminder of the comradeship formed in units.”  Each piece of trench art tells a story, offering a glimpse into the thoughts, feelings, and circumstances of its creator. It stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring need for creative expression, even in the midst of conflict."

AllenF. “The National WWII Museum Opens New Special Exhibit Soldier: Artist: Trench Art in World War II.” The National WWII Museum | New Orleans, March 1, 2021. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/media/press-releases/national-wwii-museum-opens-new-special-exhibit-soldier-artist-trench-art-world.

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