NSK, KKK?

I find Laibach utterly fascinating. Their neo-noir approach to supporting the NSK through music and music videos flirts a very dangerous line post world war 2. Accused of being both far left and far right wing, it appears through my research that Laibach do not define who they are as a group albeit their involvement with the NSK.

The lecture abstract was the most succinct definition of the artistic practice:

The Slovenian art collective Laibach literally undermined political regimes in the
1980s and 1990s through the over identification with the regimes it sought to critique.

More totalitarian than their own state, Laibach’s arts practice does not rely on
institutional support, but rather uses popular music to gain access to a huge
audience base.


I find it so clever the way that Laibach have developed their technique of appropriating popular music to portray a message about politics across the world.

They way new social media enhances and expands their audience for example, using the world wide phenomenon that is You Tube. Laibach can reach an audience that, without this media transporter platform, an audience this diverse would only have existed in their fantasies. For when people search popular songs e.g Across the Universe by The Beatles, Laibach's Across the Universe also appears. With a simple click someone completely oblivious to the NSk or Laibach is instantly affected by their artwork and social/political agender.

Laibach appear to let their audience read into their work what they will. The more i try to research this, I am actually more interested in researching he NSK. I find myself believeing the word 'cult' is so fittingly associated with the NSK.


“In the globalisation process that’s occurring right now, every person is a global citizen… We as global citizens can communicate and interact with each other and the [NSK] passport is a medium or tool for us to re-imagine what we can do.” *



Created in 1992, the NSK State in Time has become a unique entity which now has several thousand citizens across numerous countries and all continents. In 2010 the state will examine itself through its citizens and discuss its past, present and future. At a time when national (market) state financial and political systems are tested as never before, the First NSK Citizens Congress will test the ambiguous realities and potentials of ‘the first global state of the universe’.

This unique event will bring together citizen delegates and NSK members to explore debate and develop the NSK State and how to negotiate the shared and contradictory interpretations and visions of its citizens.

http://congress.nskstate.com/index.html



In particular the NSK passport. This is an except i took from the FAQ's from Laibach's official website when trying to find out what this NSK passport was. And if it is more than a money making scheme.



NSK State & PASSPORT

Q: What is NSK State and when was it founded?

A: NSK State is a concept State.It was founded in 1992 by members of the Neue Slowenische Kunst, an art movement from Slovenia, Europe.

Q: What is the territory of the NSK State?

A: NSK State does not exist in real, three-dimensional space and has no physical territory; it only exists as a state of mind, a social sculpture in a virtual space and its only territory is the dimension of Time.

Q: Why did you create the NSK state?

A: Because we needed our own state, which is not based on the national paradigm, on physical territory and it is not limited by the borders. We believe that traditional states should disappear.

Q: Is the NSK state a work of art?

A: It can also be understood as a work of art. It is up to each and every individual how does he understand or he wants to understand the idea and the content of the NSK State. It can have many meanings for some people or absolutely no meaning to the others.

Q: Who is and who can become a citizen of NSK State?

A: NSK citizenship is open to everybody all over the world, people of different religion, races, nationalities, sexes and beliefs.

Q: How can one require the citizenship of the NSK State?

A: The right to citizenship is acquired through the ownership of the NSK State passport.

Q: What are the fundamental acts of NSK state?

A: In its fundamental acts NSK state denies the categories of fixed territory, the principle of national borders, and advocates the law of transnationality.

Q: Does NSK state have a government or any other form of central political power?

A: The NSK state has no formal government and no Central committee. It only has citizens, bureaucrats and executioners. Its organizational principle is collective absolutism; the “head of state” is Immanent-transcendent spirit. The NSK State government is the government of consciousness – which reigns but does not govern.

Q: What do I gain from becoming a citizen of the NSK state if it doesn’t really exist?

A: Like any other state NSK State exists only as much you believe in it and you can gain from it only as much as you want.

Q: If I become a citizen of the NSK-state which faith do I have to believe in?

A: You only have to believe in your own faith and you have to have faith in your own belief.

Q: Do I have to pay any taxes or membership fee if I become a citizen of NSK state?

A: You pay no taxes and no membership fee. You are only charged for the passport.

Q: What is the NSK State passport?

A: NSK state passport is a unique document issued by NSK Information Centre. The bearer of the NSK passport becomes a citizen of NSK State. Vital statistics of the bearer are logged in the NSK State citizenship register. The passport is numbered and it is not transferable; its validity is limited and renewable. By signing the adjoining statement the bearer pledges to participate on a best-effort basis to support the integrity of the NSK state. This passport may not be misused for criminal, ideological, religious or political purposes conflicting with the contents of NSK and/or jeopardizing the reputation of NSK. Citizenship ceases with the expiration, return, cancellation or confiscation of the passport.

Q: Is NSK State internationally officially recognized country?

A: NSK State is not an internationally officially recognized country and owning the NSK passport does not automatically grant citizenship of any other country of the world.

Q: How can I use NSK State passport?

A: The NSK State passport is a document of a subversive nature and unique value. You can use it as a piece of art or you use it to fill in data and collect stamps, signatures, etc., at NSK events and similar campaigns. The applicability of the passport is unlimited and subject to the responsibility of its holder.

Q: Can I also use NSK passport for travelling?

A: NSK passport is not a legally valid document. You cannot legally cross any official international border with it. The NSK passport is only a symbolic document and you use it to cross borders at your own risk: NSK Information Centre cannot accept any responsibility for the consequences if you attempt to cross borders using this passport.

Q: Has anybody used NSK passport for travelling across borders already?

A: Many people did, some were successful and some not.

Q: What kind of photos are acceptable when apllying for NSK State Passport?

A: Dimenzije, položaj glave etc (glej podatke za Schengen)

Important message to applicants for NSK State passports:

NSK State is not an internationally officially recognized country and NSK State passport is not a legally valid document. Owning the NSK passport does not grant citizenship of the republic of Slovenia or any other country of the world. You cannot legally cross any official international border with it. The NSK passport is only a symbolic document and you use it to cross borders at your own risk: NSK Information Centre cannot accept any responsibility for the consequences if you attempt to cross borders using this passport.

http://wtc.laibach.org/help.cp2

I thought this was really interesting