11.11.14
Daybreak, 100 years after the end of World War One. I went to the Tower of London, expecting few people to be there. But the area was packed with people.
They had come to glimpse at a spectacle which has captured imaginations. The moat of this famous landmark has been gradually filled with a sea of ceramic poppies – 888,246 to be precise. Each represents a British military fatality during the 1914-18 conflict.
On this chilly early morning, viewers were taking in the sight and almost universally taking snapshots. More than five million visitors later, this has been photographed from practically every angle. I found myself drawn to the people gazing at the mass of scarlet and the occasional tributes to fallen veterans.
As the removal of the poppies begins, I wonder whether visitors came to glimpse a landmark art installation or really did treat it as an act of remembrance. Either way, this has made a deep and lasting impact.
Click first image to view this selection
mikeosbornphoto 
I’ve seen so many photos of this amazing tribute … you took some wonderful shots.
The display is so impressive in photos … I can only imagine what it must have been like to see it in person. I’m glad you were able to make it to see the Remembrance display. Thanks for sharing your photos.
LikeLike
John, many thanks for your comment which is very humbling. The poppies – now long gone – were inspiring, as were the large number of people who turned out to see them. I’m glad to have some photographs to mark this event.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on rebloggobbler.
LikeLike
Great, vibrant set of images Mike!
LikeLike
Thank you Andy. It’s looking a little less vibrant there now…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can imagine!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A powerful set, Mike. I watched the televised events from the Tower on 11/11. I’m up in London again this week and think I might just go over again and see how many poppies are left – that will be my third visit.
LikeLike
Thank you Andy. I’d vowed not to go, but glad I made the trip. It will be interesting to see its gradual decline and disappearance too – hopefully you will take some shots if you visit.
LikeLike
Being there on the 11th must have been so moving when I went so poignant and everyone respectful
LikeLike
Yes, Diana, so many people were stopping and taking a moment. But a lot were treating it as an attraction as well, which is kind of understandable.
LikeLike
Really beautiful.
LikeLike
It’s quite something, Laura. And it’s now being slowly dismantled – every one of those poppies has been sold.
LikeLike
Wow! That was fast.
LikeLike
It’s hard to quantify the public response to this.
LikeLike
I just did LOL. :P
LikeLiked by 1 person
Did not manage a walk down there to see as would have had to get up at dawn to avoid the crowds but you did it so much better anyway! Every one a winner though the crosses in the wall are a great juxtapositioned shot
LikeLike
Oh, I didn’t even think of that, Laura! I was just taken with the neatness and symmetry. Well I was there very early but it was remarkably busy, although it didn’t impede my photographic activities.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A beautiful summary of a great art installation. Every once in a while, something captures the public’s imagination and this work did just that. The poppies themselves have been photographed countless time over the last few months, but you’ve managed to get a couple of new perspectives on the Tower; the sepia shot of the couple and the old photo stand out for me. :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Richard. I had decided not to go because it’s been such a draw and so photographed, but I’m glad I did. The photo of the brothers was a poignant moment. I must admit the overall impression was of people coming to see this spectacle and not think of the sentiment behind it.
LikeLike
Yeah, I can see the ‘ooh, it’s a piece of art that everybody’s talking about, let’s go and see it’ mentality, but I’d like to think that, especially on the day you visited, there was a bit of poignancy about it… :)
LikeLike
My fascination became about observing the observers and trying to judge this. But you’d hard to be hard-nosed or stupid to completely ignore the intended significance.
LikeLike
Observing the observers is always an interesting way to pass the time… :)
LikeLike
As well you know!
LikeLike
Haha! Definitely! :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful and intense colours. What a wonderful way to remember those who lost their lives during the war. Great series, Mike!
LikeLike
Thank you Koos. I was astounded by the volume of people there and tried to avoid the red. They achieved something astonishing there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Why did you try to avoid the red? Isn’t that all about the poppies?
LikeLike
There’s only so much you can do with it. And also this installation has been photographed so much that I wanted to attempt to find something slightly different (I probably didn’t succeed!)
LikeLike
You DID succeed! I saw some new angles, like the poppies with the crosses in the front. Or, the poppies in the puddle. Like I said, great series!
LikeLike
Why thank you :) That morning included, there were so many people snapping. The web must be awash with photographs of this. But then everyone’s perspective is new to them.
LikeLiked by 1 person