The Medical Plants of Płaszów

The former Nazi camp KL Płaszów, a vast area in the Podgórze district of Kraków, is the city’s most notorious Holocaust site – today a no-man’s land which functions as a recreation area for local residents. The use and misuse, remembering and forgetting of Płaszów’s history has preoccupied artist Jason Francisco for years. “The Medicinal Plants of Płaszów” is an experimental work of historical memory, created in response to the question, “What forces of healing is Płaszów itself generating?” As it turns out, the genocidal earth of Płaszów grows all manner of plants from which actual medicinal tinctures, teas and compounds can be made. During FestivALT, we will dedicate a new community garden of medicinal plants harvested from the former camp, plus Kraków’s first long-term exhibition about the complications of the Płaszów site. In addition, FestivALT will host a historical/botanical walking tour of Plaszów.