Bodies

[Omaschwannoma]

Hey I just got back from the exhibit in Miami called Bodies.  The amazing thing about this exhibit is the beauty of the human body, literally!  A technique was developed in Germany to replace the water in muscle tissue, arteries, viens, and organs so as to display the human body without the skin for all to see.  I could not believe the beauty in seeing the different muscle groups or bones, the arteries and veins alone (they took away the bones, muscles and enhanced only the veins & arteries) made me look at the human species with new wonderment.  Some exhibits inside our bodies looked much like coral found on a reef.  I highly recommend all see this exhibit when and if it comes to your town.  Too bad they didn't have a brain on display with an AN, but seeing where mine was I can now appreciate the size of the compartment the surgeons deal with in removal of AN's--WOW!  Teeny, tiny, itsy, bitsy microscopic--guess that's why they call it micro surgery! 

[ppearl214]

Hi Karen,

It just came through Boston. I didn't get to see it but heard from friends that it is a truly amazing exhibit. I heard the "pregnant woman" was a bit difficult to view, but the remaining exhibits were great.  I'm sorry I missed it while it was here.

Phyl

[Omaschwannoma]

Okay, there must be different exhibits as "the pregnant" woman was not on display.  Heard about the Mutter Museum in Philly and am going to see this while at the Symposium.

[ppearl214]

sounds like the exact same exhibit, karen... hmmmmmmmm... there was the ballerina as well.. does that ring a bell? Has to be the same. Didn't know it would be in Philly at time of symposium... good to know

Phyl

[krbonner]

There are a couple of competitors.  The original, and the one that was recently in Boston, is "Body Worlds."  Other companies have since used the same techniques to make their own shows - including "BODIES... The Exhibition" that is currently in FL.  The guy who invented the technique and originated "Body Worlds" is suing some of the other companies for copyright infringement, but it isn't clear that he has a good case.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_Worlds

Katie

P.S.  Why I know this, I have no idea.  You'd think my brain would be too full of actual useful information to keep this tidbit around!   

[matti]

I saw something similar in San Francisco last year, I found it fascinating and highly recommend it. Amazing to see the innerworkings of the human body.  I don't remember a ballerina, but do recall a bike rider and tennis player. The only exhibit that I found hard to look at was one where the body was totally skinned and he was holding a clothes hangar that held his skin. Interesting, but eeeewww!

Cheryl

[HeadCase2]

  I believe the process is called plastination, where they replace body structures with latex.  The surprising part, to me, was that these folks have more people who want to donate their bodies (to science?) after their death than they can use.
  It is facinating to see the inner workings of the body.
Regards,
 Rob

[Lorenzo]

I remember seeing a live TV programme where the german artist performed the transformation in a disection lab at an university. Fascinating. Can't remember his name now of course... never managed to see the exhibition though.
Lorenzo

[Desilu]

Hi All,

Body Worlds 2 exhibit is at the Museum of Science of Industry in Chicago. It runs through April 29th.

From my AAA magazine it says:  The specimens are real people, after all, who chose to donate their bodies to science and be plastinated (i.e., have their fluids and soluble fat sucked out, replaced with resins and elastomers, and then undergo curing with light, heat and gases).  The process retains the bodies' natural color and structure, so what results in an unflinchingly realistic look inside ourselves-red veins, white-gray bones, blackened lungs and all.

I knew subscribing to AAA magazine would be good for something, someday! I haven't seen the exhibit yet but plan to before it leaves Chicago.  Ann