In Flanders Fields
Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red…
England has done something monumental to remember their fallen. To mark the 100th anniversary of the beginning of English participation in World War I, Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red is an installation of 888,246 ceramic poppies planted in the Tower of London’s moat, each poppy representing a British military fatality during the war.
Created by ceramic artist Paul Cummins, with setting by stage designer Tom Piper, the poppies have progressively filled the Tower’s moat since the summer. The collective of artist’s that helped Cummins achieve the massive numbers he needed each have a personal connection to a serviceman.
The poppies were available for purchase for £25, but have now sold out. Proceeds will be divided between service charities. Additional donations can be made through Historic Royal Palaces here.
The exhibition was officially opened by HRH Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh in August. If you can’t visit the site yourself before it closes on November 12th, the Royal Historic Palaces have a very good website dedicated to this initiative including more photographs and videos of the artist’s process. Click here to check it out.
The Evening Standard has reported that there has been a great deal of public pressure put on the HRP to extend the exhibition. Crowds to the site have been immense since the site has been fully populated by the poppies. Mayor Boris Johnson commented on the popularity of the installation:
“The poppy field at the Tower is a unique and poignant focus of remembrance in this centenary year. It has grown rapidly in popularity, to such an extent that it is now a global visitor attraction.”
A team of over 8,000 volunteers have been lined up to help disassembling the massive installation, which has raised £11.2 million for the six chosen charities. Read more on the attempts to extend the exhibition in The Standard here.
Armistice Day is tomorrow in the UK, with most events having taken place on Remembrance Sunday (yesterday). There are events all over Canada to commemorate Remembrance day tomorrow. The Veteran’s Affair website has details for every province here.
