To help you see what a body really looks like on the inside, this Exhibition uses real human bodies that have been preserved so they do not decay.
A human specimen is first preserved according to standard mortuary science. The specimen is then dissected to show whatever it is that someone wants to display. Once dissected, the specimen
is immersed in acetone, which eliminates all body water. The specimen is then placed in a large bath of silicone, or polymer, and sealed in a vacuum chamber. Under vacuum, acetone leaves the body in the form of gas and the polymer replaces it, entering each cell and body tissue. A catalyst is then applied to the specimen, hardening it and completing the process.This method of preservation creates a specimen that will not decay. This offers thousands of unique teaching possibilities for educators at all levels, including medical professionals, archeologists and other scientists.
I saw this when it was in Denver. Definitely worth the trip, although I wish I’d gone on a less busy day – the museum was filled with field trips. I think I spent over two hours there.
Saw it in Chicago…worth the price. I also got the book they had on sale there. They called it “Body World” in Chicago however. I know it is perverted but the “swimmer” where they had a woman swimming split right down the center was freaky - the woman with an infant in her womb even more so…
the woman with an infant in her womb even more so…
Couldn’t agree more. Thought the exhibit was definitely interesting but also quite emotionally exhausting. Get the audio tour thingy if you go.
It’s not BodyWorld. the Body is put on by an Atlanta-based company, and they even have a disclaimer on their website that they are not affiliated with other body exhibits (specifically mentioning BodyWorlds and Gunther von Hagens).
I missed BodyWorld when it was in L.A. They kept the museum open 24 hours a day on the final weekend.
It sounds like there is still some controversy about the origin of the bodies in the exhibit – they came from China, and some people have alleged that they were executed prisoners.
I saw BodyWorld before. It was amazing. Then I heard an interview with the backers of this one (I think) on NPR. I think this is the one they were interviewing (I don’t think there are more than 2 out there).
BodyWorld claimed this one was lesser and that there was no way to prove these bodies weren’t ‘stolen’ or from chinese murdered for this project. The guy who NPR was interviewing gave a good speil about all the information the company holds on the donors (which they wouldn’t release…and neither woudl BodyWorld).
From what it sounded like, both were very similar in design (and that’s what had the BodyWorld guys upset), and if they are similar I’d highly recommend it. After seeing Casino Royale my BF was asking me about the show and is trying to find a way to take some of his residents to one.
Enjoy it. The one I saw was a great show. There were some ‘riske’ displays, but I think the ones that some people were complaining about were actually yoga poses…showing how amazing the human body is.
Saw it in Toronto. Some of the images can be quite grotesque to look at at first but well worth it.
wow, the website was hard to stomach. don’t think i could do it…
I saw BodyWorld when it came to Toronto. I brought my 2 girls too (ages 7 and 11). It’s fascinating and not nearly as grotesque as you might think. The regular lung vs. smoker’s lung vs. miner’s lung is really interesting. I made sure my daughters paid attention to that. Good luck going when it’s not busy. They had it here for about 2 months or so and it was packed the entire time. Just plan to take your time to see everything.
Yep, only it’s called BodyWorlds here, and I saw it last night. It was really good, but I’m not sure if it was totally worth the price.
Surprisingly I wasn’t as grossed out as I thought I’d be. It was thoroughly fascinating to see what is inside us, what the parts actually look like, and how they work.
However there was one or two exhibits that grossed me out.
I saw bodyworlds in Houston. Phenomenal. Of course I am a grad student in a kinesiology program so it is practically tailored to me. I could definately see how it would bother some people especially the displays involving a fetus.
It sounds like there is still some controversy about the origin of the bodies in the exhibit – they came from China, and some people have alleged that they were executed prisoners.
Haven’t seen either of these (would like to!), but there’s a museum somewhere I’ve been (most likely Chicago or DC) that has a body sliced like a loaf of bread in ~1" incremental horizontal cross sections from head to foot. It’s like a CAT scan, only the real thing. Fascinating, but perhaps in slightly different way from these exhibits.
Saw BodyWorlds in London a few years ago. AWESOME better than any A&P class I ever took. I spent about 2hrs goign through on a slow night. Wish it would head to PHX.
Saw BodyWorlds in London a few years ago. AWESOME better than any A&P class I ever took. I spent about 2hrs goign through on a slow night. Wish it would head to PHX.
I just looked at the bodyworld website and it said…coming soon…Phoenix. I think it was for next spring sometime…now if it would ever get to honolulu.
