STAATSKUNST (THE ART OF THE STATE)

State diplomacy is conducted through artistic sovereignty and trans-nationality – art as state as a direct form of independent state art.The “state” is static by definition (both concepts derive from Latin “status”). In our contemporary understanding the state is a kind of steely skeleton or matrix – constructed so that it can provide structure, grounding, and duration to a constantly changing society.Political scientists and state theorists, however, maintain that the state reached the apex of its development in the seventies and has since been in decline. Yet even at a time when the state is being pushed out of more and more areas of life and continues to lose esteem, it remains the highest existing authority – precisely because the state is more static than other forces affecting our lives. On the other hand, the state is inferior to these highly dynamic forces and lags helplessly behind the newest developments in science and technology.The German concept of Staatskunst (art of state) alludes to the fact that in governments of previous centuries the balancing and equalization of manifold factors and powers was in fact understood as an art. The antiquated concept of Staatskunst also has another meaning: It reminds us that in former times the promotion of art and culture was seen as a state goal and rulers recognized that art and culture were essential components of their wealth and capital. The SoS state is bound to this understanding of “state art” and strives for the development and promotion of its own SoS Art Foundation. In cooperation with various artists, artistic practices, models, visions and utopias, as well as trans-national characteristics, will become visible and new conditions of the reality of state and art will be exemplified. At the opening of each new embassy, new artists will be introduced to the public and admitted to the SoS Art Foundation. Depending on the location of the SoS embassy, local exhibitions and thematic events will be continuously presented.Soon, the SoS Art Foundation will award travel and residency scholarships to/in Baldrockistan/Australia to young artists. The SoS art collection is, according to location, always publicly accessible. A worldwide exhibition and survey in art locations in various other countries is in planning. And artistic productions, conferences, events and workshops are also planned on the SoS grounds in Baldrockistan/Australia.