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)
