Laznia Centre for Contemporary Art

Meetings and Microutopias is a new artistic and research project conducted by Łaźnia CCA which is based on research on participation art in Scandinavian countries between 1990 and 2010. This kind of artistic practice emerged in Western Europe and both Americas in the late 1960s in a particular socio-political atmosphere. Its origins are related to such factors as the awakening of the political left, student unrest, anti-war protests and counter-culture movements. In comparison to the broadly understood “Western world”, the Scandinavian countries prove to be quite different. The socio-democratic political order, which has been present in that region since the 1920s, as well as the Nordic welfare state model, have made a lasting influence on the local consciousness. The aim of the project is to present participation art as the new paradigm of artistic practice, focusing on its distinct Scandinavian character.

Ladonia is the name of a microstate proclaimed in 1996 by a notoriously unapologetic Swedish artist Lars Vilkas. It is situated within the Kullaberg nature reserve, occupying a total surface of one square kilometre. The basic idea behind this microstate is “limitless freedom”. One may become a citizen by making an appropriate declaration through the Internet. There is no lack of interest: in 2012, Ladonia already had sixteen thousand symbolic “citizens”. The project has become a genuine tourist attraction. Despite the lack of any promotion the place is visited by about forty thousand people a year.

During the meeting about Ladonia, project of artist Lars Vilks, who currently serves as the microstate’s Secretary of State, will be described by the Swedish curator Martin Schibli, the Minister of Curators, Semaphores and Swiss Army Methods of Ladonia.

BIP

Municipal Institution of Culture