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 model prepares backstage of the House of Holland catwalk show during London Fashion Week Women's A/W19 in London, Britain on February 16, 2019. (Photo by Henry Nicholls/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 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)

A “jungle nymph” is measured during the annual weight-in ZSL London Zoo on August 21, 2014 in London, England. The height and mass of every animal in the zoo, of which there are over 16,000, is recorded and submitted to the Zoological Information Management System. This is combined with animal measurement data collected from over 800 zoos and aquariums in almost 80 countries, from which zoologists can compare information on thousands of endangered species. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

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)

A model presents a creation during the Ashley Williams catwalk show at London Fashion Week in London, Britain February 14, 2020. (Photo by Henry Nicholls/Reuters)