Libertalia Exhibition at HIVE 5 December 2019 by Visit Blackpool Libertalia Exhibition: The pirates bring ‘Libertalia’ to Blackpool After their unprecedented success curating ‘Hundred Heroines’ exhibition with the Royal Photographic Society, that saw visitors in their thousands come to Hive in Blackpool from as far as London and the States, the ladies from Arrested ReDevelopment are at it again. For their second show above the Hive coffee shop they are bringing the pirates to town, co-curating the ‘Libertalia’ exhibition with Collective Moves, an international group of artists. Artist Alexis K Johnson, who co-conceived the show, explains. “There are legends of pirates who founded this amazing self-governed city 300 years ago with their pirate gold in a hidden location in Europe. They had no hierarchy, people came together to make things happen. This level of equality doesn’t even exist today – it was radical. In those days pirates were seen as guardians of liberty, turning our idea of what a pirate is on its head. So we thought wouldn’t it be exciting to bring this story to the people of Blackpool, who are pirates at heart. We’re grateful to Arts Council England for supporting us to do this.” Echoing the pirate’s way, the show has been co-created by artists from Blackpool and Gothenburg in Sweden, where the story was un-earthed. Swedish artist Isabel Lagos who co-conceived the show said. “Gothenburg is home to a secret pirate house that I am custodian, 300 years ago pirate queen Ingela Gathenhielm led a global pirate empire founded on liberty from here. Making some connect ‘Libertalia’ to Ingela and Gothenburg. The exhibition brings Ingela’s pirate house and the pirate spirit to Blackpool to invite the people of Blackpool to imagine what it would be like if it were ‘Libertalia’ today.” Co-curator and artist Libby Nightingale said, “I can’t wait for people to see the show, it’s been designed to feel a bit like you are stepping back in time into Ingela’s pirate house and life, there’s her music room, images of the sea and shadowy photographs from the house where you can really feel the pirate presence.” The exhibition has original works from over thirty artists from Blackpool, Sweden, Liverpool and South America, each telling us something about liberty. Co-curator and artist Kate Yates said, “this exhibition proves the Blackpool underground art scene is really coming into its own, its brave, eclectic and full of surprises– just like the pirates.” Co-curator and artist Dawn Mander said, “The exhibition asks the people of Blackpool how we could make Blackpool a ‘Libertalia’. In one work we invite you to write on a manifesto wall. In another you can design and raise a Blackpool ‘Libertalia’ flag. We’d love you to come and take part.” The exhibition is open from Friday 13thDecember to Friday 20th of December 2019, re-opening after Christmas on Thursday 16th January 2020. Opening Thursday to Saturday each week from 11am to 5pm. Runs into February 2020. Between 12th and 14th December the Gothenburg artists will join our Blackpool artists to co-create a performance for the space. This will be performed at 6pm on Friday 13th February, and on Saturday the 14th December will would love people to join us raise the Libertalia flag outside Hive. 19th January will see an afternoon of performances based on the theme of liberty by local Blackpool artists from 2.30pm with free entry. It will be rich, vibrant and heart-warming. With performances by Baz Garrod, Linda Hampton, Sean Brown, Tom Wright, Laura Colville and local residents will bring the space to life with their dancing.