‘Zakłady na Życie’ (‘Plant-Life’) is a performance and installation environment exploring Poland’s industrial past. In English, ‘ Plant-Life ’ is a play on words, as a plant can be as much a photosynthetic organism as a factory, power-station, or other large industrial complex. It is in this sense the piece attempts to achieve as much as state of David Attenborough as it does anthropological glance into the life of factories across Poland.
Using relics gathered from both functioning factories and industrial ruins around Poland, the stage environment is a series of re-creations, inspired by actual workplaces and even museums, reviewing the past-times of both company and state. The experience allows one to zoom-in, from the larger level of infrastructure, down to the single product of the factory itself, such as a toothbrush. The tangible nature of this experience attempts to connect to histories through these found objects, in much the way a museum does with its artifacts of purported significance.
With performers lulling secular mantras in Polish, a visitor is able to follow English subtitles, as the fringe economy of the East reveals itself as a true giant, – manifest in the factories of chocolate, speedometers, cement and canned meat.
The piece begins in fictitious factory space, a 25-minute performance. A man read outs text and occasionally holds up portraits of works and walks up to the front of the stage. Slowly woman are introduced into the environment, who as secretaries, walk in the shapes of various letters, and eventually introduce various subjects from the stage.
“Man stands left whilst a woman walks in a “U” shape”
Incomprehensible Polish phone call at length.
Loosely translated to English as such:
Hello, this is Asja Lamtiugina from the offices of the Ursus Steel Foundry. I am calling in reference to the daily supplies of casting sand to our location from your company. Yes yes. Ok, right: Ryszard Bacciarelli? Yes in a few minutes. No I’ll call back, thanks. Bye.
Hello, this is Asja Lamtiugina from Ursus again, yes… Ryszard Bacciarelli please.
Hello mr Bacciarelli, yes, the Ursus Steel Foundry, that’s correct. … This is a little bit of an unfortunate call to be making, but it is in regard to an internal dispute of our firm. By extension, it is the daily supplies from your firm to ours, in particular the casting sand. If I calculate at present, I come to around 30% of contents being sand. Yes, yes….
Well the problem is one of over-supply, and the effect a lack of storage and hence disposal of these, around 100 tonnes of sand per day. … Yes.
Well yes, that’s correct. In former years the production had equaled that of the foundry in Warsaw, hence national delivery was set at 300 tonnes in total, for sand alone, – although Ursus had fallen well below 50% of its former out-put since March. Yes, yes…
Well the drop in production means we have over-supply and lack of storage. Mr Skotnicki simply proposes a re-calculation of requirement and supply. The effect is a slowing of our production, even though Warsaw still foots the national bill. (pause)…. Yes, yes, … no.
Plate commemorating the anniverery of the factory H. Cegielski (Profile) Cegielski pioneered the transition from manual agricultural equipment into steam powered engines. Poznan Ceramique plate D= 32 cm, h= 4 cm
Plate commemorating the anniverery of the factory H. Cegielski (Profile) Cegielski pioneered the transition from manual agricultural equipment into steam powered engines. Poznan Ceramique plate D= 32 cm, h= 4 cm
Commemorative shirt holding pins of the H. Cegielski factory of Poland. H. Cegielski, Poznan Shirt with found pins Custom made vitrine 47,5 x 37,5 x 10 cm
Technical drawings with un-related 'testing' fragments. Also present, the factory pin. (Nr 1) Mera-Poltik speedometer, clock and (other meters) factory Lodz Technical drawing, found parts, pin with factory logo Aluminium frame, custom made passepartout 51 x 76,5 x 5 cm
Technical drawings with un-related 'testing' fragments. Also present, the factory pin. (Nr 1) Mera-Poltik speedometer, clock and (other meters) factory Lodz Technical drawing, found parts, pin with factory logo Aluminium frame, custom made passepartout 51 x 76,5 x 5 cm
Technical drawings with un-related 'testing' fragments. Also present, the factory pin. (Nr 4) Mera-Poltik speedometer, clock and (other meters) factory Lodz Technical drawing, found parts, pin with factory logo Aluminium frame, custom made passepartout 51 x 76,5 x 5 cm
Technical drawings with un-related 'testing' fragments. Also present, the factory pin. (Nr 3) Mera-Poltik speedometer, clock and (other meters) factory Lodz Technical drawing, found parts, pin with factory logo Aluminium frame, custom made passepartout 51 x 76,5 x 5 cm
Various housing boxes and an enclosed switch, housed in vertical arrangement EC1 power station, Lodz Custom made wooden vitrine 102 x 26 x 16 cm
Various meters, - housed in vertical arrangement EC1 power station, Lodz Custom made wooden vitrine 102,5 x 25,5 x 16 cm
Plastics storage containers - for loose working parts, greasy Mera-Poltik speedometer, clock and (other meters) factory Lodz Custom made wooden vitrine 72 x 52,5 x 7,5 cm
Task logs and pin-up image mounted on hardboard with electric tape. Also present, the factory pin Mera-Poltik speedometer, clock and (other meters) factory ?odz Aluminium frame36 x 61 x 2 cm
Various white sanding discs (used) Mera-Poltik speedometer, clock and (other meters) factory Lodz Custom made wooden vitrine 52 x 72,5 x 7 cm
Overview
Diploma acknowledging 25 years of service in the light construction industry of Poland. Multi-coloured print on orange card, with folder of deep texture and embossed tag. Location unknown Printed matter, wooden frame Dyptich 45 x 45 x 3 cm and 40,5 x 43,5 x 3 cm
Diploma acknowledging 25 years of service in the light construction industry of Poland. Multi-coloured print on orange card, with folder of deep texture and embossed tag. Location unknown Printed matter, wooden frame Dyptich 45 x 45 x 3 cm and 40,5 x 43,5 x 3 cm
Contract of training, issued by the Chamber of Crafts, Poznan, - issue number 371. Contract between the Novakovsky firm, ?the mentor? and Feliksem Sobkowiak regarding an education in carpentry for period of three and a half years. Together with a badly mounted Polish crest Crest from Mera-Poltik speedometer, clock and (other meters) factory, Lodz Aluminium frame, custom made passepartout 51 x 61 x 4,5 cm
Isolating glove (spread open) with organisational booklets EC1 power station, Lodz Custom made woode52,5 x 62,5 x 12 cm
Isolating glove (partially folded and perished) with organisational file EC1 power station, Lodz Custom made wooden vitrine 52,5 x 62,5 x 12 cm
Large ceramic (either) fuses or resistors with patch cable (rubber, steel, plastic) EC1 power station, Lodz Custom made wooden vitrine 52 x 72,5 x 10 cm
Letter to a Blacksmith, announcing his promotion to leader of the crafts-party. Two bank notes, 100 and 20 Zloties respectively (20 Zl note folded) Found in Poznan Aluminium frame, custom made passepartout 51,5 x 56,5 x 2 cm
Machine operation handbook and folder of unknown purpose Mera-Poltik speedometer, clock and (other meters) factory, Lodz Custom made wooden vitrine 42,5 x 67,5 x 10 cm
Technical log-cards Mera-Poltik speedometer, clock and (other meters) factory, Lodz Aluminium frame, custom made passepartout 61,5 x 71 x 3 cm
Overview
Commemorative shirt holding pins of various factories of Poland. Diverse locations Shirt with found pins Custom made vitrine 47,5 x 37,5 x 10 cm
Commemorative shirt holding pins of various factories of Poland. Diverse locations Shirt with found pins Custom made vitrine 47,5 x 37,5 x 10 cm
Overview
Two respiratory objects with shovel and cup Rubber, plastic, steel, chrome, enamel Mera-Poltik speedometer, clock and (other meters) factory Lodz Custom made wooden vitrine Tryptich 3 x 52,5 x 37,5 x 14 cm
Two respiratory objects with shovel and cup Rubber, plastic, steel, chrome, enamel Mera-Poltik speedometer, clock and (other meters) factory Lodz Custom made wooden vitrine Tryptich 3 x 52,5 x 37,5 x 14 cm
Two respiratory objects with shovel and cup Rubber, plastic, steel, chrome, enamel Mera-Poltik speedometer, clock and (other meters) factory Lodz Custom made wooden vitrine Tryptich 3 x 52,5 x 37,5 x 14 cm
Booklet, dental spray and a document detailing a worker's injury. Stara Rze?nia, former central abattoir of Poznan Aluminium frame, custom made passepartout 51,5 x 61,5 x 5 cm
BHP booklet (Polish health and safety regulations organisation) A bottle of Caffeine and a document detailing a worker's injury. Stara Rze?nia, former central abattoir of Poznan Aluminium frame, custom made passepartout 51,5 x 61,5 x 5 cm
Overview
Folder of unknown purpose Mera-Poltik speedometer, clock and (other meters) factory Lodz Custom made wooden vitrine 42,5 x 57,5 x 6 cm
Large Polish canvas flag Location arbitrary Aluminium frame 72 x 101 x 3 cm
Spring loaded shock gun, for hammering cavities into walls. Showing corner-alignment bracket, shafts and cleaning wire. Wifama (the production of parts and sub-assemblies for automotive and aeronautics industries), Lodz Aluminium frame, custom made passepartout 70 x 92,5 x 7,5 cm
Regulations and guidelines for awards to be given in the department of graphics. A workers book, documenting advances in wages. Both found in Poznan Aluminium frame, custom made passepartout 51,5 x 71,5 x 2,5 cm
Flower print bags, one paper (which is slightly broken at top) one plastic (discarded) Contemporary (purchased) and predecessor found at Cementownia Grodiec, Cement plant, Bedzin Aluminium frame, custom made passepartout 61 x 51,5 x 5 cm, dyptich
Flower print bags, one paper (which is slightly broken at top) one plastic (discarded) Contemporary (purchased) and predecessor found at Cementownia Grodiec, Cement plant, Bedzin Aluminium frame, custom made passepartout 61 x 51,5 x 5 cm, dyptich
Commemorative shirt holding pins of various factories of Poland Diverse locations Shirt with found pins Custom made vitrine 47,5 x 37,5 x 10 cm
Three filthy polystyrene containers Mera-Poltik speedometer, clock and (other meters) factory Lodz Custom made wooden vitrine 27,5 x 72,5 x 14 cm
Commemorative shirt holding pins of various factories of Poland Diverse locations Shirt with found pins Custom made vitrine 47,5 x 37,5 x 10 cm
Various torches in relation to miners' lamps. Earliest illuminated by burning gas Miners lamps are centre left, and centre - second from the right. Poznan Custom made wooden vitrines Tryptich 23 x 102,5 x 11,5 cm, 27,5 x 102,5 x 11,5 cm and 33 x 102,5 x 11,5 cm
Various torches in relation to miners' lamps. Earliest illuminated by burning gas Miners lamps are centre left, and centre - second from the right. Poznan Custom made wooden vitrines Tryptich 23 x 102,5 x 11,5 cm, 27,5 x 102,5 x 11,5 cm and 33 x 102,5 x 11,5 cm
Various torches in relation to miners' lamps. Earliest illuminated by burning gas Miners lamps are centre left, and centre - second from the right. Poznan Custom made wooden vitrines Tryptich 23 x 102,5 x 11,5 cm, 27,5 x 102,5 x 11,5 cm and 33 x 102,5 x 11,5 cm
A letter relating to the worker Szajbe Zbigniew, an employee of a security firm This letter is preceding a letter complaining of the worker having arrived drunk to work. Found in the ruins of the chocolate factory Bahia, Poznan Aluminium frame, custom made passepartout 56,5 x 46 x 3 cm
Various files, folders and slips Mera-Poltik speedometer, clock and (other meters) factory Lodz Custom made wooden vitrines Dyptich 2 x 42,5 x 102,5 x 10 cm
Various files, folders and slips Mera-Poltik speedometer, clock and (other meters) factory Lodz Custom made wooden vitrines Dyptich 2 x 42,5 x 102,5 x 10 cm
Various electrical boxes, - housed in vertical arrangement EC1 power station, Lodz Custom made wooden vitrine 103 x 25,5 x 17 cm
Apprenticeship certificate issued by the Chamber of Crafts, Poznan Number: 117198, Awarded to: Adelajda Filipiak Following her professional education, the general commission of the factory (founded on the 1st of March 1960) Entitles the subject to be named : "Apprentice Seamstress", as of the 24th of July, 1971 Poznan Aluminium frame, custom made passepa51,5 x 61,5 x 5 cm
Various paint shavings Bottom two vessels, paint shavings from unknown locations. Top row, various paint shavings from the walls of the Barwa paint factory, Poznan Aluminium frame, custom made passepartout 51,5 x 61,5 x 5 cm
Various internal documents Pozmeat, Poznan (successor of Stara Rze?nia, former central abattoir of Poznan) Aluminium frame, custom made passepartout 66,5 x 61,5 x 3 cm
Map offering oversight into the various industries of Poland. Accompanied by a workers punch card and a bank note, to the amount of 100 Zloty Aluminium frame, custom made passepartout 103 x 88 x 3 cm
Objects abandoned in storage, (temporary re-use of former site of production) Various books and wallets, fabric factory 'Rabich', Lodz. Custom made wooden vitrine Separate or as a tryptich 3 x 37,5 x 52,5 x 6 cm
Botanical study books rendering plant studies in pencil University of Poznan Custom made wooden vitrine Dyptich 2 x 42 x 52,5 x 13 cm
Various ceramic cigarette box fragments and other shards Cementownia Grodiec, Cement plant, Bedzin Custom made wooden vitrine 42,5 x 102,5 x 6 cm
Bottles and jars of mixed contents: Oil, black grease and pigment EC1 power station, Lodz Custom made wooden vitrine 28,5 x 72,5 x 14 cm
One of many documents, detailing amongst other things: - the fire departments investigation into accidents resulting in fire - worker safety regulations - measures toward change for the better in the work place in general. Stara Rze?nia, former central abattoir of Poznan Documents framed in found frames 46 x 35,5 x 2 cm
One of many documents, detailing amongst other things: - the fire departments investigation into accidents resulting in fire - worker safety regulations - measures toward change for the better in the work place in general. Stara Rze?nia, former central abattoir of Poznan Documents framed in found frames 46 x 35,5 x 2 cm
One of many documents, detailing amongst other things: - the fire departments investigation into accidents resulting in fire - worker safety regulations - measures toward change for the better in the work place in general. Stara Rze?nia, former central abattoir of Poznan Documents framed in found frames 46 x 35,5 x 2 cm
One of many documents, detailing amongst other things: - the fire departments investigation into accidents resulting in fire - worker safety regulations - measures toward change for the better in the work place in general. Stara Rze?nia, former central abattoir of Poznan Documents framed in found frames 46 x 35,5 x 2 cm
“Powerless in a Dubious System” (Translation from Dutch to English)
REVIEW, Karin Veraart on May 26 ’10 Volkskrant (The Times of the Netherlands)
TheaterFestival a / d Werf
Plant-Life more than a curious collection of stuff. Utrecht.
Rating Four out of Five Stars: *****
You have the time to incorporate the installation that is part of Plant-Life, theater and visual artist James Beckett (South
Africa, 1977). It is a beautiful, while most curious collection of things, from Polish industrial complexes.
Some devices look dangerously explosive, others quite clumsy. They are placed in a greenish complex corridor behind
the stage, but it is not until the end of the show you’re carried past it. You tend ‘simply’ to walk to the exit, which is a pity.
The special display is worth it and an essential part of Plant-Life (Zaklady na Zycie), a performance presentation in the
Festival a/d Werf in Utrecht.
It all begins on a central stage. There’s a man with a hopeless look behind a desk with papers. He reads texts repeatedly,
in three sections, concerned with the emergence of a large industrial venture: detailing a factory, complete with worker’s housing, its own brass band, and a banking system.
But something is not right. There is state interference in the wrong way, of cronyism, -bureaucracy. You know exactly
how it is. The man speaks in fragments, whilst his attitude and tone become insignificant, but apparently significant
things are pronounced, giving just the appropriate surreal and helpless feeling that you, as an individual in a totalitarian
regime, cannot overcome.
When the man occasionally stands to the side of the stage, assisted by two little graceful, robotic assistants, the status of
the picture shifts through deadly repetition, unnecessary handling and a vague but agreeable sense of importance. In this
manner, Plant-Life points to the work of artist Ilya Kabakov who became well known in the nineties for his quirky, witty
and accurate depiction of a dubious (state) system.
#03: Zakłady na Życie (Plant Life) is the third issue of a series of publications issued by Wilfried Lentz Rotterdam and copublished with Festival A/D Werf and Lüttgenmeijer. Published as an accompaniment to a show of the same title from 13 February to 24 April 2010 at Wilfried Lentz Gallery and a performance from May […]
Photo: Merijn van der Vliet
Concept, writer and director: James Beckett
Performers: Zbigniew Maciak, Maja Magdalena Jawor, Dorothea Nikiporczyk
Dramaturgy: Koen Nutters, Renee Copraij
Installation and stage: James Beckett, Lucas Steenhuis en Erik Jansen
Costumes: Janneke Raaphorst
Light design: Minna Tiikkainen
Sound Design: Slobodan Bajic
Tech: Roeland van den Beemd en Slobodan Bajic
Production leader: Coosje Idhuna Kuipers
Producer: Huis a/d Werf
Co-production: Wilfried Lenz, Rotterdam