If you were under the impression that only Congress can make a state, don't tell Bob Matheny. The California artist and a group of friends have gone so far as to design a flag and write a constitution to create the 51st state in the union. They call it "The State of Art."
Statehood ceremonies are scheduled today at 8 p.m. on Bureau of Land Management property located on U.S. 89A at the Utah/Arizona state line, between Kanab and Fredonia.Matheny asked Salt Lake attorney David Mack to help him draw up the Constitution, which Mack said he was glad to do because "it's basically meaningless."
The preamble says, "The State of Art is founded for the purpose of providing visual artists, their relatives and friends with a natural environment to create art, contemplate life, or do nothing, free of government corruption, waste, fraud and self-serving interests."
Various articles of the constitution declare that The State of Art will be free of taxes and services; the right of artists to be secure in their persons, tents, vans and effects against searches and seizures by federal agents shall not be violated; The State of Art will be free of businesses, utilities, motor homes and house trailers; artists are invited to produce ephemeral environmental art in Art that will not leave a trace or scar on the landscape when removed; and the location of Art will vary from year to year and always be on public lands managed by the BLM.
At the ceremony, Byron Keener, a San Diego designer, will unveil two neon sculptures. The displays, however, are no more permanent than the state. The creators will take their work with them when they leave Art for California.