IRWIN – NSK Passport Office, New York

Print Studio, in Conjunction with the Exhibition Print/Out
Museum of Modern Art
The Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Education and Research Building Lobby
4 West 54th Street Entrance,
New York, NY 10019

Wednesday, February 1, 2012, 12:00–4:00 PM
Thursday, February 2, 2012, 12:00–4:00 PM
Friday, February 3, 2012, 12:00–4:00 PM

Originally founded by a collective of artists, musicians, and philosophers, the NSK State in Time came into being in 1992 shortly after Slovenia’s independence from the Yugoslav Federation. Its declaration of existence was accompanied by the issuing of passports at various temporary embassies, which operated alongside NSK exhibitions and events. Led by the Slovenian artists’ collective IRWIN, Print Studio will host the NSK Passport Office, New York for three days and issue a limited number of passports. A concurrent series of presentations, discussions, screenings and a culminating NSK State Citizens’ Rendezvous offers a forum to engage the public with ideas central to the NSK State and what it means to be a citizen of this non-territorial entity. For more information about the program schedule and updates, please visit MoMA.org/learn .

A limited number of passports will be printed during IRWIN’s NSK Passport Office, New York.

Admission to the NSK Passport Office New York is free. Passports will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Open to all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Print Studio Inauguration & NSK State Citizens’ Rendezvous

Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, 6:00-9:00 PM

Print Studio’s opening program begins with an NSK State Citizens’ Rendezvous, featuring presentations by:

- Miran Mohar, founding member of Slovenian art collective IRWIN.
- Gediminas Gasparavicius, Charles Lewis, and Conor McGrady, NSKNY Organizing Committee members.

After the presentations, Ana Janevski, Associate Curator of Performance, MoMA, moderates a discussion and Q&A. A reception follows, and participants are invited to engage in Print Studio’s activities: apply for citizenship at IRWIN’s NSK Passport Office, New York; view works of NSK Citizen generated Folk Art; make a print using visual resources found in the Reanimation Library: Mid-Manhattan Branch; or respond to a re-imagined task from the ongoing Collective Task project adapted for Print Studio.

Admission to the NSK State Citizens’ Rendezvous is free, but tickets are required and can be reserved online .

Organized in conjunction with the exhibition Print/Out , Print Studio is an interactive space that explores the evolution of artistic practices relating to the medium of print.

To mark the publication of the book on the First NSK Citizens’ Congress, a series of events will be held in Britain, Germany and Slovenia with further dates to be announced. Join the editor and contributors to discuss the issues raised in the book and the ongoing development of the NSK State.

Confirmed Dates:

• 25.10 – London @ The Horse Hospital, 19.30
  Alexei Monroe, Avi Pitchon, Alexander Nym
• 28.10. – Leipzig @ Galerie KUB, 20.00
  Avi Pitchon, Alexander Nym
• 29. & 30.10. – Nuremberg @ Galerie Armer Teufel
  Avi Pitchon, Alexander Nym
• 31.10. – Munich @ Galerie traversée, 19.00
  Avi Pitchon, Alexander Nym
• 3.11. – Ljubljana @ Galerija ŠKUC, 19.00
  Alexei Monroe, Haris Hararis (Followed at 20.00 by the opening of the NSK Folk Art exhibition)
• 4.11. – Berlin @ Ballhaus Naunynstrasse, 21.30
  Alexei Monroe, Avi Pitchon (DJs: Codex Europa, Avi Pitchon)

Ordering information and a downloadable preview of the book can be found at  Ploettner’s website. There is a 10% discount for NSK Citizens on production of a valid passport number.

The Nuremberg events take place in the framework of a special exhibition by local NSK Citizens and activists and selected NSK Folk Art works will also be displayed at the Berlin event which will be followed by a party.

Ploettner Verlag anad Poison Cabinet Press will shortly release the book “State of Emergence” which explores what did happen, what could have happened and what may happen following the Congress. The book comprises ca 250 pages and includes images from the Congress as well as the accompanying NSK Folk Art and Congress Poster Competition exhibition, as well as documentation of the first post-Congress citizen-organised events.

Also included are a range of eye-witness accounts from delegates, facilitators, observers and others, giving multiple perspectives on the events. In addition, there are essays on the Congress and the NSK State from a range of theorists including Eda Cufer (NSK founding member & international curator), Regina Roemhild (Institute for European Anthropology, Humboldt University Berlin), Yannis Stavrakakis and Kostis Stafylakis.
As is the case with many of NSK’s works, the true meanings and significances of the Congress may not be clear for some time, but “State of Emergence” will analyse and contribute to the interpretation and decoding of an event whose implications touch on the key artistic, political and social dilemmas of our time.

“State of Emergence intensively documents and analyses the unique NSK State in Time project, opening up radical new perspectives on the collectivity of NSK and on many of the key artistic and cultural questions of our time. This is an important collection of thought-provoking texts and artwork that is invaluable for navigating this evolving territory.”
Catherine Wood, Tate Modern Curator of Contemporary Art and Performance.

Ordering information can be found at Ploettner’s website.

NSK STATE LIPSK & Zonic-Kunst present

“S.C.L.S.: State – Society – Landscapes – Society”
June/July 2011 – Leipzig/Germany
03.-05.06. / 09.-13.06. / 08.-10.07. 2011

Featuring works by NSK STATE collective, Jonathan Evans (AUS) & Veronica Moto (MEX), Barbara Lamoot (SK), Bettina Tita (ROM), Holger Karas (Leipzig), Laetitia Mantis (Leipzig) and others.

A small sensation!

NSK STATE section Leipzig in cooperation with the culture magazine Zonic is reopening an important venue in Leipzig’s art history: The original gallery space of famed German art group EIGEN+ART, located on Bornaische Strasse 31 (Tram 11, stop Pfeffinger Strasse) – possibly the final opportunity to tread these historical grounds.

During the opening hours of the exhibition, NSK state opens a consulate handing out visas for visitors and offering devotional objects from the state of art founded in 1992 as a non-physical, temporal entity. The collective presents the exhibition “It’s a beautiful country” which features images of anonymous, decontextualised landscapes which reflect the state’s universalistic approach as well as its imperial artistic tactics. Become a citizen of the first global state in the universe! The NSK passport office will be at your disposal during opening hours; everyone can apply to become a member of the NSK state in time.

In addition to the “Beautiful Country” exhibition, Australian Industrial artist Jonathan Evans (known for his work with “Last Dominion Lost”) and Mexican artist Veronica Moto present the video installation and performance “The second Death of Reason”, Slovak artist Barbara Lamoot explores the symbology of “landscape in philosophical predigestion.” Romanian born artist Bettina Tita offers insights into post-communist landscapes of her former home now lost, and Leipzig-based artist Dr. Laetitia Mantis documents several periods of her photographic work covering the connections between nature and culture in the theme of birth, while her images from “Kutna Hora” and Sintra/Portugal offer insights into the morbid beauty of humanity and make clear that there are still magical places if one has the ability to recognise them.

The exhibition opens on Friday, June 3rd at 7pm and is open over the weekend from 7pm. During the Whitsun days (June 10th through 13th) it can be viewed between 12 noon and 7pm, and during the first weekend in July (8th – 10th) doors open again from 7pm.

Special events:
Saturday, June 4th, 8pm: “Panorama of the State Machine” – Cultural theorist Alexander Nym discusses the history and phenomenology of the NSK state in time, followed by a screening of the documentary film “Predictions of Fire” (Michael Benson 1996) about the group Laibach and the associated artists of the Neue Slowenische Kunst (NSK) movement. Presentation in German; documentary film in English language.

Sunday, June 5th, 8pm: Jakobine Motz and Claus Loeser screen their documentary „Behauptung des Raums – Wege unabhängiger Ausstellungskultur in der DDR“ (2009), dealing with the incurrence and development of EIGEN+ART and its predecessors. After the film, the directors will be present for a Q&A with the audience. (German language)

Thursday, June 9th, 7pm: Reopening of the exhibition with the performance “The Second Death of Reason” by Jonathan Evans und Veronica Moto.
Friday and Saturday, June 10th and 11th, 2pm: London based cultural theorist and NSK-researcher Alexei Monroe will be giving guided tours through NSK-country and answering questions from tourists. (English language)

Contact & further information:
zonic@zonic-online.de
info@schillerndesdunkel.de

Congress delegates outside Haus Der Kulturen Der Welt, 21st October 2010

NSK members outside Haus Der Kulturen Der Welt, 21st October 2010

NSK members congratulate a delegate at the closing ceremony, 23rd October 2010

On Saturday evening there was a tense, dramatic, fascinating and finally celebratory closing ceremony at which the delegates’ conclusions were announced. These are the main points. There is a supporting document and a third opposing document was also read. Following the debate delegates and facilitators were presented with a commemorative object and were congratulated by members of Laibach, IRWIN, Novi Kolektivizem and Noordung.

Laibach member responding to the final declaration, 23rd October 2010

Active discussions continue amongst the delegates and individual responses will appear on times.nskstate.com. There were some really interesting ideas and discussions and as one delegate said for such a varied group of people to produce a defined result in three days was impressive. Many of the delegates were extremely conscientious, motivated and perceptive and it was a pleasure to meet them. The results are being assessed and we will comment in more detail shortly, for now here is the final statement agreed to by a majority of delegates:

FINDINGS

The NSK State is a universal state in time, not a state of territory.
Whether it remains in potential form or manifests itself in actual form depends on the actions and beliefs of those who are or wish to be its citizens.
The NSK State in Time is consistent with and evolves from the founding principles and strategies of Neue Slowenische Kunst.
The NSK State in Time becomes manifest when the following exist:

I. The Immanent Consistent Spirit is the all-embracing intangible essence of the NSK State in Time. In it there is everything and even nothing. Citizens of the NSK State in Time express the Immanent Consistent Spirit through artistic, political, philosophical and intellectual actions in both abstract and concrete form.

II. The NSK State in Time is ever-inspired by the infinite moment of grace of its own becoming. It is the master of all its probabilities.

III. The NSK State is manifested in time yet at the same time transcends time.

IV. Manifestations of the NSK State are temporal; they are based on initiatives and actions of its citizens and affiliates.

V. The NSK State in Time materializes through artistic, political, philosophical and intellectual actions in accordance with the basic principles and internal laws of the NSK State in Time.

VI. The individual is irrelevant. Therefore the NSK State in Time compels its citizens to work as a collective body.

VII. The role of the citizens of the NSK State in Time is to fulfill the State’s goals with fanatical and artistic devotion.

VIII. The citizens’ commitment to the State machine that organizes their activities is unwavering.

IX. Freedom of choice creates trauma; lack of freedom of choice creates trauma. The NSK State acknowledges the right not to choose.

Everything is ready for the event! Looking forward to see you all at the Haus der Kulturen der Welt.

This congress assembles selected citizens of our State for the first time, in order to discuss the state and its future. This project represents a materialisation of the previously virtual “NSK State in Time” which until now has primarily been understood as an art project. Over three days, some 30 “delegates”, commentators and observers will meet at the Haus der Kulturen der Welt to discuss the possible further development of the NSK State in Time. Accompanying these internal daytime debates there will be an evening programme open to the public including a seminar addressing the questions raised during the Congress. The first evening of the Congress will see the opening of the exhibition “NSK Folk Art“. This is art produced in the style of or referring to NSK by individuals and groups from around the world. A first selection of NSK Folk Art was recently presented by IRWIN and NSKSTATE.COM at the Taipei Biennale. The Berlin exhibition will show for the first time over 60 artworks from the NSK State in Time collection. In addition, film screenings over two evenings will present an interesting selection of extracts from the work of NSK plus related subjects. The event will close with a public party with DJs and live performers including NSK citizens.

A selection of NSK Folk Art artefacts, curated by IRWIN and NSKSTATE.COM
at the Taipei Biennial 10, Sept. 7 – Nov. 14, 2010

Presented artists: Peter Blase, Christian Chrobok, Danaja, Dape, Haris Hararis/NSKSTATE.COM, David K, Charles Krafft, Goran Lišnjić, Lili Anamarija No, Christain Nnoruga, NSK.IS, Avi Pitchon, Alex Ross & Chris Wade, Armin Zerbe

The internet was one of the key tolls for spreading the NSK State. In 1994 the NSK Electronic Embassy Tokyo website was launched which was active for quite some time and then in 2001 Haris Hararis from Athens launched NSKSTATE.COM which was maintained together with other NSK citizens and became the central meeting point for them. This was a crucial and unpredicted move and through this website citizens began to self organize.

We also discovered wide range of activities and artifacts related to the NSK and NSK State at various occasions and from time to time these authors would inform us about their works. It looked as if NSK citizens and others had begun to use the conceptual space of the NSK State in Time and the iconography of it and of various NSK groups in their own ways. Our decision was not to restrict such initiatives, but on the contrary to support them.

Here are some examples:

On the East Coast of the USA, a film maker Christian Matzke opened an NSK library on his own initiative. The library has opening hours and a whole set of tools for theoretical readings.

In Iceland, NSK citizens have organized, again on their own initiative, the NSK Guard of Iceland project and opened their own temporary NSK Embassy in Reykjavik.

Charlie Krafft from Seattle designed and produced sets of porcelain plates for NSK Embassies in mid 1990s.

In 2008 Irwin and NSKSTATE.COM began to collect so-called NSK Folk Art artifacts and decided to exhibit them.

As Alexei Monroe a London based theoretician and NSK citizen stated in his text NSK: The State which Ran Away with Itself for Irwin’s upcoming book:

“Although it has only become apparent gradually, NSK’s inherent, catalytic improbability has always been active behind the scenes, determining both NSK’s actions and, crucially, people’s reactions to it. Even now that NSK is far-better known and has several thousand citizens, it continues to generate unexpected responses emerging from the collective NSK space inhabited by fans and citizens, some of which have been even more surprising to the artists themselves. What we are dealing with here is a series of uncoordinated initiatives and responses, all inspired by the aesthetics or the concepts of NSK”

.

The artifacts shown in the frame of 10 Taipei Biennial were selected by Hongjohn Lin and Tirdad Zoldhar from the range of NSK Folk Art works registered by Irwin and NSKSTATE.COM, based on the Volk Art concept first outlined by Alexei Monroe.
Irwin was present at the previous Taipei Biennial with the project NSK Passport Holders. At that occasion video interviews were shown based on research into the massive surge in applications for NSK passports from Nigerian citizens in the years 2007-2008.

Anat Ben-David

Lillevan &  Codex Europa

Patenbrigade Wolff

Plus DJ support.
Information on tickets and other details will be published shortly.

The dates and venue for the Berlin congress have now been finalised. The congress will run from 21st to 23rd October.  We are pleased to announce that the venue for the Congress will be Haus Der Kulturen Der Welt, Berlin’s House of World Cultures. More details of the programme will follow shortly.

Delegates will be contacted shortly to confirm the new dates and arrangements. The congress is being organised in cooperation with the Berlin cultural agency “Βüro für Κulturelle Αngelegenheiten” and they will deal with practical arrangements for the delegates. Please remember that all delegates have now been selected. Non-delegates are welcome to attend the public events but must make their own travel and visa arrangements.

Alongside the Congress itself there will be a public programme of events including an exhibition, screenings and talks. More details will follow soon.