Location: Tower Hill, London, UK [MAP]
Designer: Paul Cummins (Ceramics) and Tom Piper (Set designer)
Project Type: Ephemeral
Completion Date: Summer 2014
Visited: 07.09.2014
Access: Tube to Tower Hill and follow signs to Tower of London
The Tower of London moat has slowly been filled with Paul Cummins hand-made, red ceramic poppies. 888,246 to be precise, each representing a life lost during World War 1. The sheer scale of this instillation is breath taking. The eloquent staging of the poppies by Tom Piper adds to the story telling. The poppies cascading from a turret window evokes blood spilling from an open fresh wound. Apt as it recognises the devastating lose of life suffered in the war and reminds in the present day that we must remember the lost soldiers and desolation of war.
The poppies pool around the Tower of London, creating meandering paths. The striking colour grabs attention, allowing everyone to engage with the instillation. Perhaps it will touch, educate, share with the many visitors a different chapter of history than they intended to find.
The poppies will be present at the Tower until November 11th which is Remembrance Sunday, the day that marks the end of World War 1, and the day we remember all who lost their lives in the conflict.
The Secret Garden Atlas 