When the apocalypse reduces the world’s structures to rubble, we may have to take our architectural cues from the micronation of Ladonia, a politically independent art installation depicting a city made of driftwood and nails.
Sadly, no-one actually lives in these structures, or in Ladonia for that matter. Artist Lars Vilk constructed the buildings as a sculpture titled “Nimis” and a stone fortress titled “Arx” inside the Kullaberg nature reserve in Skåne, Sweden. But the Swedish government determined that the structures were houses, which were illegal to construct in the reserve, and demanded they be removed. Vilks declared the region — “Ladonia” — a micronation in protest.
Since then, Ladonia has been the subject of much attention, both serious and lighthearted. In 2002, 4,000 Pakistani refugees mistook Ladonia for an inhabitable country and applied for asylum, but none were given residence inside the driftwood buildings. In 2006, the Pirate Bay-funded Armed Coalition Forces of the Internets declared mock-war on Ladonia, demanding that its government repeal copyright laws and recognize the rights of intellectual property pirates.
For a mere $12, you can become a citizen of Ladonia, joining its current membership of over 14,000 individuals. Presumably, membership grants you the right to move into Ladonia in the event of an apocalypse, or at least blueprints for building your own version of Nimis.
