In the pharmaceutical museum of the capital, you can see the exhibition “Plants, trees and khrostsiki”. The works of modern artist Agnieszka Brzezhanska were included in the permanent objects of the exhibition, which show the history of medicine and pharmaceuticals.
As explained in the press release of the Warsaw Museum, the title of Agnieszka Brzezhanska's exhibition is taken from a fragment of the Renaissance botanical work “Polish Gothicism, that is, on the nature of various plants and trees and other things pertaining to medicine.” This is the first authentic herbarium in Poland, published in 1595 and authored by Marcin from Urzedow, a botanist, herbalist, physician and priest.
– Sculptures and tools of apothecary art in a small museum, together with the works of Agnieszka Brzezhanska based on nature's thinking, open the space for the audience to study plant compounds and interspecies union with forms of treatment, – says the curator of the department, Romuald Temidenko. exhibition quoted in the publication.
– The exhibition “Herbs, trees and Khroschki” is an opportunity to think together about alternative ways to alleviate the symptoms of inflammation and pain, as well as search for comfort – adds the co-author of the concept Yulia Kern-Protassevic.
Contemporary artist's works in the former pharmacy
The author of the works, Agnieszka Brzezhanska, is a versatile artist: painter, performer and herbalist. He also creates painting, photography, film and ceramics. “She often uses traditional arts and techniques. The essence of her various artistic activities is the reflection of man's position in the world and the possibility of coexistence of all beings. Plants and herbal medicines are subjects that have fascinated the artist for years. In the pharmacy museum, Brzezhanska's works. Contents they found a special meaning, the content found a new meaning”, – describes the Warsaw museum.
In the foreground of the exhibition “Plants, trees and Khroschki” the beginning of medicine and the connection between nature and science. Brzezhanska's works correspond to the history of medicine, the collection of pharmacy glassware, library collections and the medical traditions of Japanese Kampo.
“The exhibition will feature the works of the last few years, as well as three items specially prepared for the interior of the Museum of Medicine (a branch of the Warsaw museum – ed.) and one item that has not been shown yet – the created herbarium. by Agnieszka Brzezhanska while studying at the Institute of Herbal Medicine and Natural Medicine,” the museum announces.
Mugwort in Agnieszka Brzezhanska herbarium, Warsaw Museum
Smell and “Thought Forms”
It is interesting that in the places of the former pharmacy there is a smell of mugwort (Latin: Artemisia vulgaris), a common herb known as a cure-all. “An installation that stimulates the sense of smell brings associations with old rituals of aromatherapy, inhalation or fumigation of houses with herbal smoke, which were supposed to protect against diseases,” – say the museum staff.
In addition, the exhibition features hand-woven jacquard, oil paintings, two video works recording observations of the forces of nature, as well as small ceramic sculptures. The artist is called “ancestor”, amoeba-shaped creatures, “forms of thought”. Semi-abstract objects are associated with organic forms that have limbs and even facial expressions.
The exhibition “Herbs, trees and khrosziki” can be seen at the Museum of Pharmacy (branch of the Warsaw Museum) at 31/33 Piwna Street until March 2, 2025.
Exhibition “Herbs, trees and khrosziki” in the Pharmaceutical Museum, Warsaw Museum
The building of the Museum of Modern Art was built in this way. Record
This is how the MSN Museum of Contemporary Art was created in Warsaw
Main photo source: Warsaw Museum
