To commemorate the centennial of Britain’s involvement in the First World War, ceramic artist Paul Cummins and stage designer Tom Piper conceived of a staggering installation of ceramic poppies planted in the famous dry moat around the Tower of London. Titled “Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red,” the final work will consist of 888,246 red ceramic flowers—each representing a British or Colonial military fatality—that flow through grounds around the tower.

A swimmer competes during the UK Cold Water Swimming Championships at Tooting Bec Lido in south London January 24, 2015. (Photo by Luke MacGregor/Reuters)

Men eat oranges from a push cart along a road as a vehicle travels past them in Karachi January 22, 2015. (Photo by Akhtar Soomro/Reuters)

Migrating starlings fly in formation near the southern Israeli town of Rahat February 2, 2015. The phenomenon, known as murmuration, is most common during the winter months. (Photo by Nir Elias/Reuters)

A model displays a creation for designer Andres Sarda's Fall/Winter 2015 collection, during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Madrid, February 7, 2015. (Photo by Javier Barbancho/Reuters)

A Ukrainian serviceman wearing a new year's hat waves at his comrades while standing beside his tank near Debaltseve, eastern Ukraine, February 8, 2015. (Photo by Gleb Garanich/Reuters)

A model is photographed backstage before he BCBG MAX AZRIA Fall 2015 collection is modeled during Fashion Week, in New York, Thursday, February 12, 2015. (Photo by Richard Drew/AP Photo)

A woman sells fried chicken at the Kyaik-Khauk pagoda festival in the Tanlyin township outside Yangon February 4, 2015. (Photo by Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters)