March 2, 2004

SoS – State of Sabotage

2nd March 2004, Embassy Opening and Exhibition in Hamburg (Germany)
5th March 2004, Embassy Opening and Exhibition in Den-Helder (Holland)

State of Sabotage (SoS), eröffnet seine dritte Botschaft in Hamburg/Deutschland und zeigt eine Reihe von beauftragten Kunstwerken.

Empire STATE OF SABOTAGE

Am 30.8. 2003 manifestierte das Wiener Label Sabotage Communications auf der unbewohnten finnischen Insel Harakka vor Helsinki einen eigenen Staat und wurde zu “SoS – State of Sabotage” umbenannt.
1992 durch den Künstler Robert Jelinek als Projekt ins Leben gerufen, seit 1994 international als Musik- und Kunstlabel, Kollektiv und Organisation tätig und 2003 nun in eigener künstlerischer Konsequenz als eigener Staat präsent. Ein Staat in Zeit, mit ständig wachsenden Territorien seiner Bürger ohne dabei nationale Grenzen zu ziehen. Jeder kann in den Besitz eines SoS Passports kommen und den Status eines SoS Bürgers geniessen. SoS is ein physisch vitaler kollektiver Körper installiert im real täglichen sozialen und politischen Raum. Ein wachsender Organismus dessen Dynamik, Geist und Vielfalt die Bürger selbst gestalten.
Der Schriftsteller Jerry Ahern stellte in seinem Roman “Survivalist 1: Total War” fest, dass Amerika kein geographischer Ort, sondern ein Konzept ist. Auch der “State of Sabotage” ist primär eine Idee und erst in zweiter Linie ein konkretes Territorium. Wie die USA so hat auch der “State of Sabotage” kein von vornherein definiertes Territorium, sondern eines, das ständig und theoretisch sogar unbegrenzt wachsen kann. Ähnlich wie die USA verfügt auch der “State of Sabotage” über keine angestammte Bevölkerung, sondern steht allen offen, die sich ihm aus freiem Willen anschließen möchten. Anders als die USA wird das Staatsgebiet aber mit jedem einzelnen neuen Bürger wachsen. Und anders als viele Mikronationen wird der “State of Sabotage” somit keine rein virtuelle Community sein, sondern ein reales Staatsgebiet umfassen.
Anfang 2004 hisst SoS erstmals seine Flagge auf eigenen Boden am 5. Kontinent. SoS erwirbt ein Stück Land (650 Hektar) in “Baldrockistan” (QueenslandAustralien) und stellt es seinen Bürgern sowie deren Projekten zur Verfügung. Weiters sind weltweit temporäre Botschaften geplant.

Related Links:

• SoS State Art
• SoS Embassies
• SoS Passport

State of Sabotage, the newly founded microstate, will open their fourth embassy now in Den Helder/Holland and show a series of specially commissioned artworks.

Empire STATE OF SABOTAGE

On August 30, 2003 the Viennese label Sabotage Communications manifested its own state on the uninhabited island of Harakka off of Helsinki and was renamed “SoS – State of Sabotage.” First initiated as a project by artist Robert Jelinek in 1992, in operation as an international music/art label, collective and organization since 1994, Sabotage has now, in 2003, drawn its own artistic conclusions and declared itself a state – a state in time, with constantly expanding citizens’ territories, but without the demarcation of national borders. Everyone can own an SoS passport and enjoy the status of an SoS citizen. SoS is a physically vital collective body, installed in real everyday social and political space. It is a growing organism whose dynamics, spirit and diversity are shaped by the citizens themselves.
Jerry Ahern, in his novel Survivalist 1: Total War, established that America is not a geographic place, but rather a concept. The State of Sabotage is also primarily an idea and only secondarily a concrete territory. Like the USA, the State of Sabotage has no pre-defined territory, but one characterized by constant, and theoretically unlimited, growth. Also like the USA, the State of Sabotage has no indigenous population, but is open to all those who wish to join of their own free will. Unlike the USA, the territory of the State of Sabotage grows with each new citizen. And unlike many micronations, the State of Sabotage is not a purely virtual community, but encompasses real state territory.
At the beginning of 2004, SoS will first hoist its flag over its own territory on the fifth continent. SoS is purchasing a real piece of land (650 hectares) in “Bald Rock Bush Retreat” (35km from Tenterfield / 200km from Brisbane / East Australia) and will place it at the disposal of its citizens and their projects. In addition, worldwide temporary embassies are planned.
The SoS state has consciously forsaken having a constitution, legal system, presidents, ministers, etc. in order to avoid manifesting the definitions and imitations of well-known historical examples of diverse state forms and establishments. Instead, SoS draws its basic endeavors directly from its citizens and their political, social and spiritual ideas, ideals, visions and needs, which they themselves shape and develop. Yet this requires structure, continuity and security. In order to ensure these requirements both socio-politically and topographically, the SoS state aspires to a worldwide status of sovereignty. SoS needs 50,000 citizens in order to be recognized by the UN and to achieve a legal basis for its independence.

Even if the SoS state only secondarily represents a concrete territory, the development of its own territory in Baldrockistan is of recreational and spiritual significance. The grounds already offer accommodations, an excellent road network and electricity. In the next few years, artist studios and artistic projects should emerge in harmony with flora and fauna, without the intention of settling. Baldrockistan is a neutral zone. Just like natives and visitors, the SoS state is itself a guest in Baldrockistan/Australia. The grounds are utilized and protected in accord with nature, aborigines and natives.

In previous times as well, this strip of land was a neutral meeting point and an important zone for two aboriginal tribes that used these grounds exclusively for talks, rituals, and as a passageway through the borders of the other tribe. This tradition should continue to be upheld by Baldrockistan, which offers its guests a recreational and spiritual think tank, according to each individual mind state.

Related Links:

• SoS State Art
• SoS Embassies
• SoS Passport