Karen Rosenberg, art critic at The New York Times, writes about the exhibition at Apexart in New York. But she has got most things wrong.
She writes:
“The most bizarre is Lars Vilks’s Republic of Ladonia, a square meter of land designated by Mr. Vilks as an independent nation in response to a dispute with the Swedish government over the location of one of his sculptures.”
To begin with, Ladonia is not “a square meter.” The exhibition itself includes a map clearly showing the territory. Ladonia — which is a Remony, not a republic — comprises approximately one square kilometer along the coast of Kullaberg. And that figure does not include Ladonian exclaves, colonies, and other holdings, including those within the borders of the United States.
Nor did Ladonia arise from a dispute over “one sculpture.” The conflict concerned three works: Nimis, Arx, and Omphalos. The latter was removed by Swedish authorities in the early hours of December 1, 2001 — an event commemorated in watercolor and not soon forgotten.
Yes, there was once a war between Ladonia and the United States — and Ladonia was victorious. But that is long past. Today the two nations enjoy cordial relations. Peace — and again peace — defines the connection between them.nited States are the best of friends: peace — and again peace — is the connection between these nations.
