14-18 NOW

Perceptions of the war have been shaped by the artists of the time, including poets, painters, photographers and film-makers – many of whom served and who reflected on the war and its effects. One hundred years later, today’s artists are opening up new perspectives on the present as well as the past.

Working with arts and heritage partners all across the UK, we commission new artworks from leading contemporary artists, musicians, designers and performers, inspired by the period 1914-18.

Since the start of the First World War centenary in 2014, 14-18 NOW has commissioned over 325 artworks, which have been seen by more than 30 million people.

On 4 August 2014, the people of the United Kingdom were invited to participate in Lights Out by turning off their lights from 10:00-11:00 p.m., leaving on a single light or candle for a shared moment of reflection.

Over 1,000 local authorities; iconic buildings; national organisations, including the BBC and the Royal British Legion; parish councils; and places of worship extinguished all but one of their lights to mark the occasion.

"The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime"

Sir Edward Grey, British Foreign Secretary, 4 August 1914

If you could say what you wanted to say about that war, with all we’ve learned since 1914, with all your own experience of life and death to hand, what would you say?

If you were able to send a personal message to this soldier, a man who served and was killed during World War One, what would you write?

The response to this project was extraordinary. By the project’s close 21,439 people had written to the soldier.

The sculptures were initially conceived for the installation "Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red" at the Tower of London in the summer and autumn of 2014.

On completion, it was agreed that the works of art at the heart should be preserved for the nation.

The presentation of these sculptures to new audiences across the UK aims to prompt a new, nationwide dialogue around the legacy of the First World War.

Liverpool hosted one of the most astonishing events of the 2014 centenary when it welcomed the Giants onto its streets in a city-wide spectacular stretching across five uninterrupted days.

The Royal de Luxe retold the story of the famous Liverpool Pals Battalions, the young men who volunteered alongside their next-door neighbours, family members and friends to fight for Britain on the battlefields of Europe.

"There aren’t many entities that can leave Liverpool audiences dumbstruck. But that’s precisely what Royal De Luxe achieved…"

British Theatre Guide

Peter Jackson has created a new film using original footage from Imperial War Museums’ extensive archive.

WW1 proved to be a landmark in cinema history - the first time that the horrors of war could be caught on camera.

Many hours of dramatic footage were filmed on the battlefields, capturing the realities of the conflict in remarkable detail.

Five Telegrams was presented at the Royal Albert Hall for the opening night of BBC Proms on 13 July and was part of the Standard Life Opening Event at the Edinburgh International Festival on the 3 August.

Fly By Night paid homage to the military pigeons that played crucial roles delivering messages between distant personnel.

1500 LED-lit pigeons soared into the skies above the River Thames in a glorious spectacle of unprecedented scale and beauty.