Council backs national project to mark outbreak of World War I

At 11pm on 4 August 1914 Britain declared war on Germany, ushering in one of the darkest periods in our history.

As the moment approached, the British Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey made the famous remark: “The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime”.

In a dramatic UK-wide event, LIGHTS OUT is an invitation to everyone to turn off their lights from 10pm to 11pm on 4 August 2014, leaving on a single light or candle for this shared moment of reflection.

Part of 14-18 NOW, WW1 Centenary Art Commissions, Lights Out has invited artists to create large-scale, site-specific artworks at locations across the UK.  A digital artwork will also be commissioned in response to Lights Out.

LIGHTS OUT, working closely with the Royal British Legion, will be one of the largest participatory events of its kind ever seen in the UK, and will complement the candlelit vigil held at Westminster Abbey on 4 August 2014.

More will be revealed in the coming weeks. For more information, visit www.1418NOW.org.uk and sign up to their free mailing list.

LIGHTS OUT is commissioned by 14-18 NOW, WW1 Centenary Art Commissions, supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund.