The Ulster Museum has seen record numbers of visitors as people flock to see the iconic poppy sculpture Weeping Window by artist Paul Cummins and designer Tom Piper.
In just over 10 days since its opening, over 25,000 people have visited the sculpture which will be on site until 3 December 2017 as part of the UK-wide tour organised by 14-18 NOW, the UK’s arts programme for the First World War centenary.
The poppies are presented by National Museums NI and Belfast International Arts Festival to give people from Northern Ireland and across the island of Ireland the opportunity to see the artwork.
Laura McCorry, Director of Public Engagement, National Museums NI, said: “We have received an amazing response to Weeping Window at the Ulster Museum and it is proving to be a great draw for visitors with record numbers visiting in the first ten days since its opening and we’re ready to welcome even more as the half term holidays approach.
“It’s the public’s only chance to see this sculpture in Ireland and we’re so pleased that people from all over the island are engaging with this spectacular and deeply moving artwork.
“Over the next six weeks we’ll be running a wide variety of events through our Participate in Poppies programme which has been created for a range of audiences. Events include seminars, tours and family focused activities around art, history and nature. We hope these will encourage discussion and debate around the themes of identity and symbolism through the Ulster Museum’s collections and connections to Weeping Window.”
Key public events include Decade of Centenaries Tours, Their Spirits’ Shadows: Poetry of the Great War with Michael Longley and Signs of the Times: Symbols and their Multiple Meanings with writer and commentator Glenn Patterson and feminist activist and historian Margaret Ward. A bilingual event called Cuimhne/Memory celebrating Irish language arts and art practitioners will also take place next week.
A number of the public programming events will be delivered during the Belfast International Arts Festival, through the ‘Contested Legacies’ programme.
Belfast International Arts Festival Director, Richard Wakely, said: “I am delighted that the people from Belfast and beyond have embraced the work of artist Paul Cummins and designer Tom Piper, and welcomed Poppies: Weeping Window to our cultural city. I hope this sculpture has challenged people’s perceptions and made them really think about the meaning of symbols through art.
“The Belfast International Arts Festival ‘Contested Legacies’ events continue with a panel discussion this Thursday, 27th October, Why the First World War Failed to End, with commentary from Professor Robert Gerwarth from UCD, Dr Marie Coleman from Queen’s University and Dr Margaret O’Callaghan also from Queen’s. And of course our partners at the Ulster Museum have a wide range of events continuing until 3 December 2017.”
Weeping Window is one of two sculptures taken from the installation Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red – poppies and original concept by artist Paul Cummins and installation designed by Tom Piper – by Paul Cummins Ceramics Limited in conjunction with Historic Royal Palaces. The installation was originally at HM Tower of London in 2014 where 888,246 poppies were displayed, one for every life lost at the Front during the First World War.
The presentations by 14-18 NOW give people across the UK the chance to experience the impact of the ceramic poppy sculptures in a range of places and have been seen by over 3 million people to date.
A large volunteer team – the Poppies Ambassadors – were recruited to help deliver a world class visitor experience to everyone who visits Weeping Window during its time in Belfast – and to help with associated events.
For further details of the Participate in Poppies programme visit www.nmni.com
ENDS
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Notes to Editors
Paul Cummins
Paul Cummins MBE is a ceramic artist, internationally renowned for the installation ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’ at HRP Tower of London 2014, as well as many other installations including his work on the Cultural Olympiad in 2012. Locations for previous works include the Houses of Parliament, Chatsworth House, Althorp Estate and Blenheim Palace.
Paul was inspired to produce a ceramic poppy to honour every life lost on the Front during the First World War, numbering 888,246.
Tom Piper
Tom Piper MBE was Associate Designer for the Royal Shakespeare Company from 2004 to 2014, and was closely involved in the redevelopment of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. His theatre credits include over 30 productions for the RSC, including the award-winning History series. Other recent designs include Hamlet, King Lear (Citizens Theatre), Red Velvet (Tricycle Theatre and St Ann’s Warehouse, Brooklyn), Tamburlaine (TFANA New York), Pride and Prejudice (Regent’s Park Theatre), The King’s Speech (Birmingham Rep and Tour) and Zorro the Musical (West End and world tour). Piper’s opera credits include Macbeth and Falstaff (Scottish Opera), Orfeo (ROH and Roundhouse). Tom collaborated with the British Museum and Alan Farlie Architects on the exhibition Shakespeare: Staging the World in 2012 as part of the Cultural Olympiad. Tom is a Creative Associate at the Tricycle Theatre.
His many awards include an Olivier Award (costume design) for the Histories series.
14 -18 NOW
14-18 NOW is a programme of extraordinary arts experiences connecting people with the First World War, as part of the UK’s official centenary commemorations. It commissions new work by leading contemporary artists from all art forms. The commemorative period is marked by three key seasons – Anniversary of the Declaration of War in 2014, the anniversary of the Battle of Jutland and the Battle of the Somme in 2016, and the centenary of Armistice Day in 2018. 14-18 NOW is responsible for the UK tour of the iconic poppy sculptures by artist Paul Cummins and designer Tom Piper, and ‘We’re here because we’re here’ by Jeremy Deller in collaboration with Rufus Norris.
14 -18 NOW is supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England, by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and by additional fundraising. 14-18 NOW has commissioned over 140 artworks to date that have been seen by more than 30 million people.
National Museums NI
National Museums NI is Northern Ireland’s premier cultural, learning and tourist destinations. The group comprises the Ulster Museum, Ulster Folk & Transport Museum and Ulster American Folk Park. The popular, award-winning museums are visited by more than 750,000 people annually.
The Ulster Museum is Northern Ireland’s treasure house of the past and present and is home to a rich collection of art, history and natural sciences. Entrance to the Ulster Museum is free.
Belfast International Arts Festival
Belfast International Arts Festival brings an electric fusion of cutting edge performances to the Belfast stage, with 191 events from 14 countries taking place over 23 days from the 6 – 28 October 2017, including 12 premieres. As well as support from principal funder, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Belfast International Arts Festival receives core funding from Belfast City Council, Tourism NI and the British Council.
Event and project funders for 2017 include the Government of Ireland, Embassy of Switzerland in the United Kingdom, 14:18 Now WW1 Centenary Arts Commissions and Institut Francais. Festival 2017 partners are Ramada Encore, the Ulster Museum, Visit Belfast and the Belfast Telegraph.
belfastinternationalartsfestival.com