Space Hijackers

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The Space Hijackers is a group originating in the United Kingdom that defines itself as "an international band of anarchitects who battle to save our streets, towns and cities from the evils of urban planners, architects, multinationals and other hoodlums". The Space Hijackers exist mainly to change the public's perception of spaces they regularly use, mainly by staging unexpected events. They believe that the use of physical space is becoming more and more politicised and thus in order to break apart from that politicisation, they stage events that are typically 'unusual' for that particular space, 'hijacking' it and hoping to change people's perception of the use of that space forever. Their work is important because with increasing politicisation usually comes increased subordination and discrimination and other forms of domination and control, space hijackers seek to break down and deconstruct society's notions of space. There is usually a good sense of fun involved with Hijacker projects, as this not only gets passers-by involved, but also helps to ward off the police, who often don't really know what to think, or don't realise exactly what's happening.

The Space Hijackers have numerous contacts with other groups, and involve themselves with all sorts, including but not limited to Critical Mass, Indymedia, the BBC, Rhythms of Resistance samba band, free media collective iconscious and evoLhypergrapHyCx. The Hijackers managed to pull several of these groups together in Anarchitecture Week 2005, a week of anti-building related activities in response to, and hosted at the same time as Architecture Week.

Formed in 1999 their first major action was a party on London's Circle Line tube. This attracted around 150 people armed with sound systems, disco lights and bars all disguised as luggage.

[edit] Space Hijacker projects

A sample of projects includes:

Miniature City Farms
Subliminal Message Prostitute Cards
Experimental Pedestrian Schemes
Zapatista Protests
Starbucks Musical Chairs
Spoof Planning Permission Applications
Pirate Occupations Of Islands
Mobile Street Discos
A Second and Third Circle Line Party
Inner-City Midnight Cricket
Mayday Anarchists vs Members of Parliament Cricket
"arms dealing" at the DSEI arms fair
Staging Half Price Sales in numerous stores around Oxford & Regent Street
Using a parking meter space as a rented office
Supporting Nike with banners including "Sweatshops ROCK!" at their sponsored events
Urban letterboxing