In an effort to foster Zaqistani-American relations, this past week, the Experimental Station received Zaqistan founder, Zaq Landsberg, nation-builder and artist residing in New York City. Landsberg made this diplomatic visit to the Experimental Station as one stop on his annual expedition to his country, located on two acres of desert in a remote corner of Utah.

Since its founding in 2005 (when Landsberg purchased his little piece of the Wild West for a song on eBay), Zaqistan has developed into a developing country. With the assistance of its first citizens, Zaqistan has built numerous signs of becoming a great nation: a 12-foot tall victory arch, a customs booth/immigration check point, and a giant flag pole w/flag. Zaqistan has also established a number of symbols to build a sense of national identity. As part of its cultural agenda, Zaqistan has begun to accept public art works by artists from outside of Zaqistan's borders.

If you would like to learn more about the Republic of Zaqistan, check out the country's website at http://www.zaqart.com/zaqistan/zaqistan.html.