"The Sea-rovers and Corsairs of the 18th century created an ‘information network’ that spanned the globe: primitive and devoted primarily to grim business, the net nevertheless functioned admirably. Scattered throughout the net were islands, remote hideouts where ships could be watered and provisioned, booty traded for luxuries and necessities. Some of these islands supported ‘intentional communities’, whole mini-societies living consciously outside the law and determined to keep it up, even if only for a short but merry life". - TAZ

The Space Hijackers Pirate Party
25/06/05

As a climax to anarchitecture week, we needed to go out with a bang and a roar. Plans were hatched for a Pirate Party to end all others. Moving on from our old island in the docks of East London, we decided that it was time for our galleons to set sail for greater riches. We realised that the best islands to be found in big cities are not in the sea, but surrounded by traffic (steel sharks).

A location was spotted by our agent in the crows nest and a call was sent out to the most scurvy ridden pirates in the land. "Land Ahoy" we hollered and our mob descended upon a pirate island at the bottom of Park Lane (London's most exclusive road, Hilton hotels and Lamboughini garages).

At least 10 score pirates had answered our call, bringing with them beat boxes and ghetto blasters to form our sound system. Pirates travel light and deadly, so to avoid the hassle of giant sound rigs, the Dictyostelium DISCOideum Wireless Sound System was much more stealthy. A Pirate radio station was set up on our traffic island, broadcasting out to our pirate hoards. Then the multitude of speakers picked up the broadcast and spread the noise loudly across the island! Harrr!

Pirates continued to dodge the steel sharks and make it onto our island and before we knew it a carnival of merry sailors had laid claim to this new land.
A merchant vessel pulled up to our shores, and a band of pirates made light work of boarding and plundering the poorly armed ship.

Rum flowed like a river and our pirates danced a jig to the pirate songs. Before long pirate law was declared upon the island and a lesbian pirate wedding was held.
Another ship docked at our port, this time with darkened windows. Unfortunately she was hit by a passing vessel and it was discovered that she was a scout for Her Majesties Navy! Various Pirates attempted to board the vessels. Unfortunately Pirate Litost was injured in the line of duty and sent off in a rescue ship with a pirate wench.

In memory of our fallen comrade the sound was turned up and a toast was made to his valiant efforts in battling our foes. The toast unfortunately drank us dry and as the island had no supplies it was time to set sail again. Deep into the morning our ships ventured out in search of rum and merriment. Pirate Mus lead us through treacherous lands, with agents of Her Majesty around every corner. We charged into central London for a night in town. Memories begin to fade of our journey, although at one point there was a very near Pirates Vs The Nazi's battle, they backed down after seeing our cutlasses glimmering in the moonlight.

Three cheers for our Pirates, another for our fallen comrade, and a boo to Her Majesties soldiers and the fascists on the streets.
YARRRRRR!

Photos by El Miguel