Poppies in blackpropaganda

This is an art installation at the Tower of London commemmorating the nearly 900,000 British and Empire soldiers who died in the First World War. It is made up of ceramic poppies which flow down from the wall and now cover the whole area of the moat.

The poppies were put out over the a number of months - and it culminates on Remembrance Day, Novermber 11th, when they will be taken away and distributed to people who have bought them with the proceeds going to charity. It is an amazing sight - and now there is a call for them to remain there - but the whole point was to show the enormity of the sacrifice - and then to leave the memory in the mind - and they disappear, leaving only memories as was the case in the war.

The whole point of what the artist, Paul Cummins, wanted is lost in the call led by politicians to extend the time so more people can see it live. In fact the whole site would deteriorate and the point would be lost. A small section on the wall will be kept but the rest will go.

I think it is moving, but it should be transient - and we move on. It should not be seen as a tourist attraction!