Thread: Dr. Gunther von Hagens' BODY WORLDS

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I was in Dallas this week, and was fortunate to see the installment of BODY WORLDS at the Dallas Museum of Nature and Science.
The show is hard to describe. For those who are unfamiliar, the installation is a collection of cadavers that have been preserved in dynamic poses through the use of a process called Plastination. Plastination replaces the fluids and fat in a body with a fluid plastic. The bodies are also often dissected, bisected, spearated by bodily system (respiratory, reproductive, nervous, etc.) in the name of displaying and explaining the human body. Included in the display are also comparisons of healthy and diseased organs, as well as "slices" of bodies showing a cross section of the body. An example was full body slices that compare a healthy body to an obese one.
Throughout the exhibit were large silkscreened panels featuring the anatomical drawings of Durer, Da Vinci, Michaelangelo, etc., along with quotes from artists, philosophers and scientists through history commenting on the study of the body, the miracle of the human machine. For me it was a rationalization to viewing the exhibit as an artist, but I have to admit the notoriety of the show also drew me in.
As I viewed the show I tried to be an objective observer, distancing myself from the displays. But then a small detail like eyelashes, or fingernails would say to me "Sorry, bub, you don't get away that easily. These "displays" were living, breathing humans that have had their organs, entrails, bones and most private inner workings split apart and spread out for all the world to see."
An amazing exhibit. If one of the installations comes to your area I recommend going to see it. There were many kids and families when I was there. The Museum provided a brochure suggesting how a to discuss the exhibit with your children.
website: www.bodyworlds.com

I went to something similar here in Tampa called Bodies:The Exhibition. It was awesome. I especially like the circulatory system. they had takend all bones, muscles, fatty tissue, everything off except the circulatory system.

http://www.bodiestheexhibition.com/

Maureen - Yes! Wasn't that amazing? How itricate the circulatory system is, and how they were able to maintain the shape. It was as if it were spun from fine red silk threads.

I was talking to a coworker the other day and she mentioned she saw this when it was in Tampa. She loved it except she always had the feeling that one of them would move so it kind of creeped her out! LOL I hope to see it if it ever comes around here again.

I have been wanting to see this exhibit for a number of years now. Apparently there is a huge waiting list in Germany of people who want to donate their bodies to the cause. (I would have paid a lot more attention in Phys 101 if it was even half that interesting!) Much cooler than rotting in the ground, if you ask me.

I saw the Body Worlds show when it came through Denver. Even being a museum member, we had to get tickets weeks in advance and stand in line for almost 2 hours to get in. It ended up being too intense for the couple we went with but I thought it was well worth the wait and crowds to see it. Absolutely amazing!

Originally Posted by Mrs Leatherface

She loved it except she always had the feeling that one of them would move so it kind of creeped her out!

I give the night watchpeople there a whole lot of credit!

WonderfullyWicked - Thats true - what eventually happens to us is a lot worse than what was on display! As you exited the exhibit there was a table with body donation forms, not unlike organ donor forms.

Fravak - I was very fortunate. While there were plenty of people there, I was able to buy my ticket in the lobby and walk right into the exhibit.

i have wanted to see that, it sounds cool

A few years ago when this display was just leaving China a news story was out causing some amount of scandel, it seems some of the bodys were found to have had bullet holes in the heads.
I guess the examples were from the Chinese government's executioner's work.
An apology was them made.
I would donate my carcass to them but it might get dangerous turn risky when they cut open that reactor in me from that other galaxy. (It's disguised to seem to be a half-digested Hershey bar, still a little wrapper left on it, just so someone will be sure to be fooled and maybe not hack into it)

That story isn't true. There are a few exhibits of plastinated bodies, this one at least, is legit. All the bodies donated, and documented.

(The one about the bullet holes... Gyms alien reactor, now that I'm not sure about!)

I've seen Body Worlds 1 and 2. Both are amazing!

I find it interesting that everyone who has actually been to the exhibit finds it to be a fantastic experience, while I have yet to encounter anyone giving the show "bad press" claim to have seen it themselves.