Press Release29 June 2016

ICONIC POPPY SCULPTURE WEEPING WINDOW OPENS AT THE BLACK WATCH CASTLE AND MUSEUM IN PERTH

The poppy sculpture Weeping Window by artist Paul Cummins and designer Tom Piper opens at The Black Watch Castle and Museum tomorrow, 30 June 2016. The venue is the first location in mainland Scotland to host the sculpture as part of the UK-wide tour of the poppies by 14-18 NOW, the arts programme for the First World War centenary.

Weeping Window will be presented by The Black Watch Museum, which is located within the dramatic and historic Balhousie Castle, the origins of which are said to date back to the 12th Century. The Black Watch Museum tells the story of The Black Watch, Scotland’s premier Highland regiment, from its formation in 1881 to recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Black Watch fought with distinction during the First World War, allegedly earning them the nickname “The Ladies from Hell” from German soldiers. By the end of the First World War, nearly 9000 soldiers of The Black Watch were killed and almost 20,000 wounded.

The Black Watch Museum is now a focal point for remembrance and learning about the First World War. The Weeping Window sculpture flows from the Castle’s second floor turret window onto the ground below.

Sir Alastair Irwin KCB CBE, Chairman, The Black Watch Castle and Museum, said: “The Black Watch is honoured and proud that its home and Museum has been chosen for the first display of Poppies: Weeping Window on the Scottish mainland. The people of Perth have always been great supporters of their local regiment whether in times of peace or of conflict.  Many of their sons were amongst the nearly 9,000 Black Watch men who gave their lives in the Great War. We know that, here in the heart of Scotland, the sculpture will be a powerful homage not only to them and their families but to all other Scots who fought or who waited anxiously at home during the course of that “war to end all wars”. The Black Watch extends a warm welcome to our home in Balhousie Castle, which, during the duration of the display, will be a home to all”.  

Anne Kinnes, CEO The Black Watch Castle and Museum, said:“I am pleased that we are able to share this memorable occasion of the this official opening of Poppies: Weeping Window with so many people. We are honoured to have

been chosen to host this commemorative sculpture here at the Home of The Black Watch. We hope that over the next 12 weeks we will welcome many visitors who will be able to reflect and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those many individuals who are still today affected by conflict. I hope that for those who visit the installation will create their own lasting memories for many years to come.”  

Liz Grant, Provost of Perth and Kinross, said:“The Black Watch Castle and Museum is a real asset in the city, and a natural home for Poppies: Weeping Window in Perth. The sculpture provides a special opportunity to honour our forces and the ultimate sacrifice which many of them have made in the name of peace. I am very proud that our city through the auspices of Perth Common Good is able to support The Black Watch Castle and Museum and 14-18 NOW to offer the opportunity to view this stunning display in mainland Scotland.”

Nigel Hinds, Executive Producer, 14-18 NOW, said:“Telling the story of Scotland’s premier Highland regiment, The Black Watch Castle and Museum is a poignant and fitting place for the poppy sculpture Weeping Window to be presented as part of its tour of the UK. The poppies have an incredible ability to bring generations together to share stories of the First World War. I am hugely grateful to the government and all our supporters, in particular the Backstage Trust, and our transport sponsors DAF Trucks, for enabling this landmark presentation to happen.”

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 from August to November 2014 where 888,246 poppies were displayed, one to honour every death in the British and Colonial forces of the First World War. Weeping Window is the cascade of poppies that was seen pouring out of a high window down to the grass below. The second sculpture, Wave, is also touring the UK.

The two poppy sculptures, Wave and Weeping Window, which together have over 11,000 poppies, have been saved for the nation by the Backstage Trust and the Clore Duffield Foundation, and gifted to 14-18 NOW and Imperial War Museums.

14-18 NOW are delighted to partner with transport sponsor DAF Trucks on making this historic project a reality. Financial support for the tour of the poppies has been received from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund. The learning and engagement programme for the poppies tour is supported by the Foyle Foundation.

14-18 NOW has commissioned a number of major projects across Scotland in 2016 to mark the Battle of Jutland and the Battle of the Somme. Turner Prize-nominated artist Ciara Phillips’ Dazzle Ship is currently on display in the historic port of Leith as part of the 2016 Edinburgh Art Festival, and award-winning composer David Lang will premiere his choral piece Memorial Ground with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra Chorus at the East Neuk Festival on 2 July.

For details of the full programme please see:

www.1418now.org.uk

@1418NOW@museumbw#PoppiesTour

Press Enquiries:Erica Bolton or Sylvia Ross, Bolton & Quinn6 Addison AvenueLondon W11 4QRTel: 020 7221 5000Email: erica@boltonquin.com / sylvia@boltonquinn.com

Leanor BlackhallThe Black Watch Castle and MuseumHay StreetPerth PH1 5HRTel: 01738 638152 Ex 212Email: leanor@theblackwatch.co.uk

Notes to Editors:

Poppies: Weeping Window29 June – 25 September 2016, The Black Watch Museum, Perth12 October – 20 November 2016, Caernarfon Castle

Poppies: Wave28 May – 4 September 2016, Lincoln Castle

Dazzle Ship by Ciara PhillipsFrom 25 May 2016, Prince Alexander Dock, Leith

Memorial Ground by David Lang2 July 2016Cambo Barn, North Lodge Cottage, Kingsbarns, Fife

The Black Watch and the First World WarFor the duration of the First World War, the Black Watch regiment saw extensive action throughout France as well as other countries such as Mesopotamia and Palestine. The various battalions of The Black Watch saw action from the first battles of the Aisne and the Marne, right through to ‘the advance to victory’ in 1918. By the end of the First World War, nearly 9000 soldiers of The Black Watch were killed and almost 20,000 wounded. These losses served to deepen the regimental bond with its heartlands of Dundee, Angus, Perthshire and Fife.

Paul CumminsPaul 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 death in the British forces of 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.

About 14-18 NOW14-18 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 aims to engage as many people as possible with the First World War, exploring how the war has impacted on the society we live in now. 14-18 NOW commissions new work by leading contemporary artists from all art forms, inspired by the period 1914-1918.  The commemorative period is marked by three key seasons - the first season centred around 4 August 2014 (Anniversary of the Declaration of War), the second is March to November 2016 (anniversary of the Battle of Jutland and the Battle of the Somme) and the last in 2018 (centenary of Armistice Day). 14-18 NOW is responsible for the UK tour of the iconic poppy sculptures by artist Paul Cummins and designer Tom Piper. 14 -18 NOW is supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England and by additional fundraising.  14-18 NOW has commissioned over 80 artworks to date that have been seen by over 20 million people.

DCMS4 August 2014 marked 100 years since the start of the First World War. In recognition of this significant milestone the Government is leading a five-year commemorative programme of national ceremonial events, cultural and educational activity and community engagement. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, DCMS, manages this cross government programme working with key delivery partners including Imperial War Museums, 14-18 NOW, Arts Council, Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic England.

DAF TrucksDAF Trucks has been market leader in the UK for twenty years, now accounting for almost one in three of all new trucks sold here. The company is also the only volume truck maker to design and build trucks in Britain at its state of the art plant, Leyland Trucks in Lancashire. Both DAF and Leyland are subsidiaries of PACCAR Inc, the worldwide quality leader in the design and manufacture of premium light, medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles.

Backstage TrustBackstage Trust is a relatively small grant-giving charity whose primary focus is live performing arts, mainly theatre. The Trust has a particular interest in projects involving disadvantaged children and young people. The Trust is aware of the complexity of running small arts organisations and is able to consider providing consultant time and advice on fundraising, management and feasibility studies for capital projects.

The Clore Duffield FoundationFounded in 1964, the Foundation is a grant-making charity which concentrates its support on cultural learning, creating learning spaces within arts and heritage organisations, leadership training for the cultural and wider charitable sectors, and enhancing Jewish life. The Foundation is chaired by Dame Vivien Duffield, the daughter of the founder, Sir Charles Clore. www.cloreduffield.org.uk

Heritage Lottery FundThanks to National Lottery players, we invest money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about - from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife. www.hlf.org.uk @heritagelottery #UnderstandingWW1

 Other HLF-funded First World War projects include:

First World War Galleries, Imperial War Museum London - £6.5m The Yorkshire Film Archive – £52,400 HMS Caroline, the last surviving First World War battleship - £12m Herts at War -  £98,400 1914 London B-type ‘Battle’ Bus, which drove out to the Western Front -

£750,000 

First World War Centenary Partnership 2014 - 2018 marks the centenary of the First World War, a landmark anniversary for Britain and the world. IWM is marking the centenary by leading a vibrant, five-year programme of cultural activities across the world. This year is the centenary of the Battle of the Somme. IWM will be announcing its programme to mark the anniversary later this year. For more information visit www.1914.org.