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 participants mends his vintage car during the annual London to Brighton veteran car run in London, Britain November 6, 2016. Around 600 classic cars took part in the annual 60 mile journey to the south coast resort. (Photo by Neil Hall/Reuters)

A tree is silhouetted against a light display during the The Magical Lantern Festival marking the Chinese new year at Chiswick House in London, Britain January 18, 2017. (Photo by Neil Hall/Reuters)

Tattoo enthusiast Lauren Brock poses to display her body art work during the International London Tattoo Convention in east London, Britain September 26, 2015. (Photo by Neil Hall/Reuters)

Revellers watch as police officers dance in the street at the Notting Hill Carnival in west London, August 30, 2015. (Photo by Toby Melville/Reuters)

Tattoo artists and body art fans from across the globe have descended on London for one of the biggest and most prestigious tattoo conventions. “This is like the Premier League of tattoo artists from all over the world who come here to show their work”, organiser Marcus Beriman said. Photo: Bugz Bonniie displays some of her tattoos. (Photo by Oli Scarff)

Competitors take to the streets of the capital in fabulous fancy dress costumes during the Virgin London Marathon 2012 on April 22, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Mirror.co.uk)

“The Blitz (from German, “Lightning”) was the sustained strategic bombing of Britain by Nazi Germany between 7 September 1940 and 10 May 1941, during the Second World War. The city of London was bombed by the Luftwaffe for 76 consecutive nights and many towns and cities across the country followed. More than one million London houses were destroyed or damaged, and more than 40,000 civilians were killed, half of them in London”. – Wikipedia

Photo: A fireman attempts to check the flames from a gas explosion, after an air raid in Central London the previous night. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images). 1940