14-18 NOW and the National Theatre presented an exhibition at theatres and venues across the UK that told the story of the contemporary memorial ‘We’re here because we’re here’ created by Jeremy Deller. ‘We’re here because we’re here’ took place on 1 July 2016 when more than 1400 voluntary participants in First World War uniform appeared unexpectedly in locations across the UK. The participants were a reminder of the 19,240 men who were killed on 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Each participant represented an individual soldier who was killed on that day.
The exhibition told the story of the project through images of the volunteers from across the UK and BBC documentary charting the making of the project.
Created by Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller in collaboration with Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre, ‘We’re here because we’re here’ reached over 30 million people across the UK.
The exhibition concluded its UK tour at Aberystwyth Arts Centre and ran until April 2018.
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 with Lyric Theatre Belfast, Manchester Royal Exchange, National Theatre of Scotland, National Theatre Wales, Northern Stage, Playhouse Derry-Londonderry, Salisbury Playhouse, Sheffield Theatres and Theatre Royal Plymouth.
The project was supported by:
Aberystwyth Arts Centre, The Belgrade Theatre, Birmingham Metropolitan Academy of Performing Arts, Bolton Octagon, Bristol Old Vic, Storyhouse, Left Coast, Leicester Curve, Nuffield Theatre, Oldham Coliseum, Pontio, Shetland Arts, The Garrick Lichfield and Volcano.
Media partner: BBC
‘we’re here because we’re here’ was made possible by an Ambition for Excellence Award from Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund, with additional support from Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Creative Scotland and Art Fund. 14-18 NOW is principally funded by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England, and by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
