Never have I been so happy to live in the time of the world wide web, as I could see and share all the forms of remembrance this past weekend as the world marked the centenary of the end of World War I. I have been profoundly touched by the cumulative efforts in Britain, starting with the amazing installation Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red four years ago, and under the auspices of the 14-18 Now WWI Centenary Arts Commission more poignant and engaging initiatives and installations followed, right up to the centenary of Armistice Day. The culture of commemoration in Britain appears deeply ingrained from my vantage point, but as the First World War was a global event so too is its remembrance: there were thoughtful exhibitions and installations in all of the Commonwealth countries, across continental Europe, and here in the United States. Here in Salem, I was really happy to see the Salem Maritime National Historic Site tell the story of the Second Corps of Cadets during the Great War on facebook all day long on Sunday, and more than a little confused that the Peabody Essex Museum decided to have a festive “dance party” the night before.
My favorite expressions of remembrance are below, but please nominate others! There is a much more comprehensive roundup of #ArmisticeDay100 in its entirety on Google Arts and Culture.
Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, Paul Cummins and Tom Piper, 2014.
Wave Poppies at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, 2015. Paul Cummins and Tom Piper. Getty Images.
We’re Here because We’re Here, 2016. Jeremy Deller in collaboration with Rufus Norris.
There but not There Tommy Silhouettes in Arundel Cathedral, June 2018. An initiative by the UK Charity Remembered.
La Nuit aux Invalides, Bruno Seillier, Summer 2018. Getty Images.
Dame de Couer, October 2018. Ludovic Marin / AFP / Getty.
Weeping Window poppies @Imperial War Museum, London, Paul Cummins and Tom Piper, 2018.
A Dove of Poppies, Meise, Belgium, November 2018. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir.
A “Trench” of Poppies, Tervuren, Belgium, November 2018. Sven Vangodtsenhoven and Hans Tuerlinckx of Art-Ex.
Shrouds of the Somme, 2016-2018, Rob Heard. Toby Melville / Reuters.
Pages of the Sea, November 11, 2018, Danny Boyle.
“Ghost Soldiers” in a Gloucestershire cemetery, November 11, 2018. Jackie Lantelli.
Sydney Opera House, November 11, 2018.
