This year marks 100 years since the start of The First World War, and Monday 4th August marked 100 years since Britain entered the conflict. There have been a few tributes which have really caught my attention around recently – here are two of my favourite.
The poppies at the Tower of London I think are just gorgeous. The installation was entitled ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’ by Paul Cummins, and uses 888,246 poppies (or will use when the installation is complete in November), one for every British and Colonial soldier killed in the conflict. From a distance they look almost like a blanket of flowers, and have a really poignant feel, particularly when teamed with the knowledge that the title is taken directly from a serviceman from Derby’s will who died in Flanders. It read ‘The blood swept lands and seas of red, where angels fear to tread.’
The Royals ‘planted’ a poppy, but my favourite part is that the ceramic poppies are to be sold off for £25 each to raise money for armed forces charities. I’m even tempted to try to get my hands on one myself, because I think they’re both beautiful in their own right, and come from such a beautiful, heartfelt installation.
The second tribute I loved was The Minimum Monument, exhibited in Birmingham by Brazilian sculptor (and 20 volunteers) Nele Azevedo. Over 5000 figures were created, and they were placed in Chamberlin Square, seated in rows and left to melt. The effect was stunning, and I really like the thinking behind the fact that these figures quickly fade away in just a few hours – a poignant reminder that we can’t allow that to happen, and that the men and women who gave their lives in whatever capacity in the war should always be remembered.
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