The poppy has long been a symbol of those who gave all in the cause of war. Each November poppies adorn the lapels and collars of the masses all around the UK leading up to Remembrance Sunday, the Sunday nearest Armistice day marking the end of WWI. This year marked the centenary of the start of WWI, which sparked greater demonstrations of respect in remembering those in that great war who sacrificed all.
In a most remarkable and grand display, the Tower of London was turned into a giant war memorial. Artists Paul Cummins and Tom Piper created a massive art installation to fill the mote at the Tower of London with 888, 246 ceramic poppies, one poppy for each fallen soldier in WWI. The installation had a beautiful double meaning with the use of the symbolic flower of remembrance collectively appearing as blood filling the mote. The installation was entitled "Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red." Pure genius! Scott and I went to see it in September, when the mote was getting fuller. Then just before Armistice Day I took the kids to see it again. By this point all 888, 246 poppies had been "planted" and the mote was bursting.
No comments:
Post a Comment