As soon as you enter The Cathedral you are transported into a different world. The entire Nave of the building becomes an enormous vivid poppy field. The installation by previous Cathedral visitors, Luxmuralis, makes an instant impact as the red flowers surround you and an emotive piano plays.

Poppy Fields is a reflection on the end of the first two World Wars and the upcoming 80th anniversary of the VE day. The entire wall of the south transept is covered with poppies that fall, sway and circle around you. Then the faces of the soldiers that will never grow old look down on you along with moving imagery of the Wars- reminded us of the personal cost of wars throughout time, the futility of it all, and the world’s failure to learn as conflicts still rage across the globe. The sea of poppies return as they pass over the faces of the dead.

Passing through the darkness of the choir area , visitors then enter the Lady Chapel. Here, a giant projection of the Oscar winning actor Eddie Redmayne towers over you. Eddie reads out the solemn words of war poets, interspersed with more hypnotic and soothing geometric patterns. “Help me to die, O Lord.” says Eddie in a moment of stunning bleakness. Later on moving clouds are projected onto the ceiling, you are no longer in the Cathedral…

Helpful staff are on hand to direct visitors along the route of the installation, which continues into the Chapter House with a light show that reflects on the role of nurses in war time. The final route to the exit via the cloisters ( an improved and changed route from last years art installation) includes another immersive falling leaves display, with the high tech imagery blending seamlessly with the historic surroundings.

Poppy Fields continues the Cathedral’s record for bringing world class art to our city. I spent an hour exploring this vivid installation, which manages to takes you out of reality, whilst paradoxically confronting you with the sorrow and pity of war at the same time.

The event runs until Sat 22nd Feb.

Tickets : https://chestercathedral.com/events/event/poppy-fields-by-luxmuralis