body worlds

There are two words to describe this exhibit: cool and gross. More cool than gross, though.

Oddly, the real bodies didn't look real. I think this is because the plastination process that preserves the bodies and organs and nerves and bones and whatnot makes them look as though they're manufactured.

The bodies are in various states of dissection. Some show the muscle just below the skin, some show the tendons and ligaments, some show the skeleton, some show the organs, some show the blood vessel networks, and then several show specific body systems - circulatory, neurologic, etc. Lots of healthy organ next to diseased organ displays as well - ie, healthy lungs next to the lungs of a coal miner.

There was some humor in the exhibit. One body is positioned to look like a skateboarder, upside down, balancing on one hand, the other hand holding the skateboard. Another pair of bodies are positioned to look like ice skaters doing the death spiral. Another looks like a ballet dancer. Another looks like a soccer player. Another looks like a gymnast on the rings. Another sits contemplatively, and reminds me of Rodin's "Thinker."

Overall, it's an amazing combination of art and science, and being able to get up close to the body sculptures really helps you see how all the parts work together, and how much is compacted and layered into one person.

There's a lot of controversy surrounding this exhibit. The inventor of the plastination process is apparently under investigation to find out if the bodies used really were donated voluntarily (there are rumors of them being Chinese political prisoners, so says the waiter at the restaurant we went to before going to the museum). And of course, it's a very graphic display of the bodies - you can get quite close to them, as not all are in cases, so it's definitely not for the faint of heart. My feeling when people make a fuss and try and stop exhibits like this is "if you don't like it, don't go see it." You don't have to like it, but that doesn't give you the right to stop others from seeing it. There is great value in knowing what is inside your body, and this is a creative way to see it.