LV21

LV21 was established in 2009 by British and Finnish creative practitioners Gary Weston and Päivi Seppälä, with extensive experience of producing large-scale artistic programmes in the past 20+ years.

LV21 specialises in community participatory site-specific work across art-forms, working in close collaboration with creative professionals and a variety of organisations, community groups and individuals of all ages and abilities to encourage active participation and empower participants to get involved with innovative cultural projects that affect positive social change.

Built in 1963, the operational 'flagship' Light Vessel 21 is a unique 40 metre steel-hulled historic lightship, the last of the renowned Philip & Son's ships to be commissioned by Trinity House. LV21 saw most of her service off the Kent coast on the Varne, East Goodwin and Channel stations. She was retired from service in 2008 and since 2009 has been undergoing a transformation into a floating cultural facility and become a Cultural Beacon, shining a light on arts and culture in north Kent.

Scarabeus Aerial Theatre, established by Italian and Danish aerial performers Daniela Essart and Søren Nielsen, has created for over 30 years visually arresting and transformative performances. 

Anchored

A collaboration led by LV21 and Scarabeus Aerial Theatre, working with the next generation of dancers, choreographers and creative producers.

Anchored is a new site-specific aerial dance theatre and dramatic floating light and sound production, bringing together well-established and emerging creative talent to create a live outdoor performance sited aboard Light Vessel 21 and viewed by audiences from ashore.

Working on the theme of intergenerational exchanges and 'vessels' as containers and receptacles, the choreographed piece narrates notions of 'precious personal cargo' being passed on and shared with others, alongside a parallel exploration of the metamorphosis of the ship and her crew, the memories and points of change on her journey to date.

Highly visual and impactful choreographies accompanied by an atmospheric soundtrack will inhabit various outdoor deck and infrastructure parts of the LV21, creating a series of moving images and sequences at height, using the unique features of the historic lightship.