Have you ever heard of this Country?: Ladonia…..Me? – no, not until a couple of days ago
But now it is a place I yearn to go check out… I discovered it while preparing my last Driftwood post….in it, and I guess at the heart of it’s very existence, is the ultimate Driftwood Garden. Ladonia, is a county with zero residents but you can become citizen or even nobility for $12.
Here is a little history of the garden from Ladonia’s website:
When Vilks started to work with hammer and nail at Nimis his ideas were rather vague, but he had in mind to make a meetingplace between theory and practice. The place chosen, the north side of the Kullaberg Nature Reservate, was remot and he could work for almost two years before his piece was discovered.
At that time (in 1982) the County Council reacted and oredered the object that they defined as a building to be removed immediately. Vilks appealed the sentence and started a huge lawsuit which was referred to the swedish Government. The departement of agriculture confirmed that Nimis would be removed. Vilks´project was also reported to the police and went on to the district court of appeal and the supreme high court. Vilks lost in the end and was fined.
Nimis was never removed because it was sold to the german in 1986 the New York artist Christo became the new owner. During these fighting years Nimis expanded to a huge piece. More than 100 meters of lengths, towers about 15 meters and 25 tons of wood, Nimis became an impressive sculpture, attracting thousands of visitors who climbed down the slope to explore the construction.
The story of appeals continues to 1996 :
Ladonia rised and entered into a new form of time and space. On the 2nd of June the country proclaimed its independence from Sweden – if it ever was occupied; the country was hardly ever discovered. And now Ladonia prosper and develop, creating its own way into boundless freedom.
1. IMG_1709, 2. DSCN1095, 3. DSCN1104, 4. Arx, 5. nimis, 6. Arx from the South, 7. Nimis and Arx -7510, 8. Nimis and Arx -7493
No one is living in Ladonia, all of its citizens are nomades and pay visits to the two chief towns Nimis and Arx, erected during the period 1980-96.
Taxes are to be payed in Ladonia but not with money. Citizens pay by giving away a part of their creativity. This is my kind of country. And the Landscape is beautiful!
all images from ladonia.net uness otherwise stated.
Ladonia, Ladonia
my home sweet home!
See you there!
Nice post. I used to be checking constantly this blog and I am inspired!
Very useful information specially the final section 🙂 I maintain such information a
lot. I was looking for this certain information for a very
lengthy time. Thanks and good luck.