Beyond the Deepening Shadow: The Tower Remembers

A moving ritual

Beyond the Deepening Shadow is an evolving installation, which will unfold each evening over the course of four hours, between 17:00 and 21:00 each evening, with the Tower moat gradually illuminated by individual flames.

The unfolding visual spectacle will be accompanied by a specially-commissioned sound installation; a sonic exploration of the shifting tide of political alliances, friendship, love and loss in war.

At the centre of the sound installation lies a new choral work, One lighted look for me by Sound Artist Mira Calix with words from War Poet Mary Borden’s Sonnets to a Soldier.

A powerful symbol of remembrance

Beyond the Deepening Shadow will begin with a procession led by the Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London. Emerging from the fortress, the Yeoman Warders – themselves all distinguished former servicemen and women – will ceremonially light the first flame.

In a moving ritual, a select team of volunteers will then proceed to light the rest of the installation, gradually creating a circle of light, radiating from the Tower as a powerful symbol of remembrance.

Members of the public are invited to return to the Tower of London to see the installation evolve each night, and to join in this public act of commemoration.

The display will conclude at 21:00 every evening.

"They do not know that in this shadowed place It is your light they see upon my face."
Mary Borden

Credits

Beyond the Deepening Shadow: The Tower Remembers
Commissioned and produced by Historic Royal Palaces
By Designer Tom Piper and Sound Artist Mira Calix.

Designer: Tom Piper
Sound Artist: Mira Calix
Creative Director: Deborah Shaw
Lighting Designer: Phil Supple
Staging and Movement: Anna Morrissey
Flames and Mist Effect: Mike Jones
Sound Designer David Sheppard for Sound Intermedia

Choral Work

One lighted look for me

Written and produced by Mira Calix
Lyrics by Mary Borden
Performed by Solomon’s Knot and Laura Cannell
Conducted by Esmeralda Conde Ruiz
Published by Mute Song 2018
Commissioned by Historic Royal Palaces for Beyond the Deepening Shadow: The Tower Remembers 2018.
Used with kind permission of the artist, publishers Mute Song and Dare-Gale Press, and copyright trustee Patrick Aylmer (Great Nephew of Mary Borden)

The Choral work is available to download here.

Our supporters

Beyond the Deepening Shadow: The Tower Remembers was commissioned with generous support from:

City of London Corporation
The Cadogan Charity
The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust
The Gosling Foundation
Marsh Ltd
Bowers & Wilkins
The Fishmongers' Company
The Leathersellers' Company Charitable Trust
The Corporation of Trinity House
The Goldsmiths' Company
The Phillips and Rubens Charitable Trust
Worshipful Company of Cordwainers
The Drapers’ Company
The Ironmongers' Company
The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals
The J P Jacobs Charitable Trust
Worshipful Company of Fletchers