we're here because we're here14-18 NOW
We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Andrew Fox14-18 NOW
On 1 July 2016, thousands of volunteers took part in a modern memorial to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme.
1,400 voluntary participants dressed in First World War uniforms appeared unexpectedly in locations across the UK.
We’re here because we’re here (2016) by 14-18 NOW14-18 NOW
We're here because we're here was conceived and created by Jeremy Deller in collaboration with Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre.
We’re here because we’re here (2016) by 14-18 NOW14-18 NOW
19,240 men were killed on the first day of the battle in 1916 – the bloodiest day in British military history.
We’re here because we’re here (2016) by 14-18 NOW14-18 NOW
Each participant represented an individual soldier who was killed on that day.
we're here because we're here14-18 NOW
We’re here because we’re here (2016) by 14-18 NOW14-18 NOW
We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Mark Carline14-18 NOW
"We’re here because we’re here" reached over 30 million people across the UK.
Meet the creatives behind 'we're here because we're here'14-18 NOW
England
The daylong work ran from 7am to 7pm and covered the width and breadth of the UK, from Shetland to Plymouth. Sites they visited included shopping centres, train stations, beaches, car parks and high streets – taking the memorial to contemporary Britain and bringing an intervention into people’s daily lives where it was least expected.
We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Andrew Fox14-18 NOW
Birmingham
We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Andrew Fox14-18 NOW
We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Andrew Fox14-18 NOW
We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Andrew Fox14-18 NOW
We’re here because we’re here (2016) by 14-18 NOW14-18 NOW
We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Steve Haywood14-18 NOW
Plymouth
We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Adrian Harris14-18 NOW
Salisbury
We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Joel Chester Fildes14-18 NOW
Manchester
We’re here because we’re here (2016) by 14-18 NOW14-18 NOW
Scotland
Each participant represented an individual soldier who was killed on that day. The work is partly inspired by tales of sightings during and after the First World War by people who believed they had seen a dead loved one.
We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Eoin Carey14-18 NOW
We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Paul Riddell14-18 NOW
Shetland
Northern Ireland
The participants wore historically accurate uniforms, representing 15 of the regiments that suffered losses in the first day of the Battle.
We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Jonny Frazer14-18 NOW
We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Jonny Frazer14-18 NOW
We’re here because we’re here (2016) by 14-18 NOW14-18 NOW
Wales
The volunteers were men aged between 16-52, reflecting the men who would have fought in the Somme. They were not trained actors but came from a range of professions, including a sheep farmer, flight attendant, doctor, lawyer, social worker, shop assistant, portrait artist and GCSE student.
We’re here because we’re here (2016) by Lolo Penri14-18 NOW
Bangor
‘we’re here because we’re here’ was a UK-wide event commissioned by 14-18 NOW, conceived and created by Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller in collaboration with Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre. Produced by Birmingham Repertory Theatre and the National Theatre, in collaboration with 26 organisations.
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