NSK was originally formed in 1984 as a result of a simple decision to unite groups working in different media but with a similar way of thinking and start to collaborate on a bigger level. NSK is an informal organisation with certain principles and ideas. We always had a state structure without being aware of it. Laibach has always been fascinated by the relation between the artist and authority, and what this relationship is in terms of artistic freedom. We try to define these relations. The arts depends upon systems of power, in the west which tries to promote itself as art of the free world is as much a slave of the marketing system as Eastern Europe is of the ideological system, perhaps more so. In the East we could not make money from it - language had more layers to try to avoid censorship.

However, we decided that the only way to stay clean was to form our own state - a type of social scripture, an artistic action.At this time NSK is a Utopian state, there are no strict rules. There is a difference between NSK and NSK state, we cannot avoid having the first goal - we are only citizens like everybody else - we are doing a Frankenstein, giving it life. We are opening embassies around the world.

For example, we got an invitation from Moscow for an art exhibition and we decided to make it much bigger, renting a house, hold the exhibition there giving lectures, meetings, passports, NSK, post office.

What response have you had to the passports.

Well, lets just say we are not the smallest state in the world, we are bigger than the Vatican, 1500 citizens and getting bigger all the time- 10-30 passports a month.

What happens to your citizenship if you join NSK?

For now you keep dual citizenship, NSK citizens only do as much as they want - they can treat it as a joke or use them.

Do they work? Some have used them, with good reason. We gave some to Bosnian artists and they found it was much easier to use the NSK rather than the Bosnian passports, especially the diplomatic passports. There are so many new states that have been invented - the border officials don't have a clue. It is as real as much as you take it, some are convincing as much as they are convinced. They cannot do much, if they do not like it, you can give them the other. If they take it away we will exchange it with pleasure.

Can anyone get a passport?

Its not exclusively Slovenian & citizenship is open to everyone. We don't have any special privileges, although we do have diplomatic passports. The whole thing is developing, we are working on a banking & information system - using the internet, CD Roms etc, a constitution and maybe elections.

How do you feel about nationalism, having your own state.

Ours is a state without borders, a state of mind. Not based on national paradigms or racial prejudices, anyone can join as long as they do not abuse the very basic rules.Nationalism can play a positive role - like drugs or alcohol at a certain point it is healthy. You just have to find the balance.