IGX

Not a book or movie or music, but still, here it is.

Body Worlds is AWESOME. Plastinated human bodies, partially dissected and artistically posed, form the centerpiece of this show, but there are also historical materials, isolated organs and limbs, prosthetics, etc.

I did not find this to be morbid or disgusting in any way. It was very nearly a religious experience. "Fearfully and wonderfully made" is the phrase that kept running through my head. I half-expected Fundie creationist groups to be arriving by the busload.

The historical materials put this show in context with the history of anatomy, showing that Von Hagen's posing of the bodies is nothing new. The difference is the amount of detail that can be shown with this new plastination technology. It's incredible.

I don't see how anyone could walk through this show and not go straight home to throw out all the Coke and Twinkies and cigarettes in their house. It made me want to take even better care of my physical body (although it also made me hyper-aware of every movement and sensation, and I was feeling mighty "fragile" by the time I was halfway through).

Highly, highly recommended. If it comes within driving range, go. Plan to spend at least a couple of hours.

(This is all based on "Body Worlds I", which I saw. There are now at least two others in the series; the displays may be slightly different, but I doubt the quality suffers. I believe that one of them even features a gorilla).

GDG!

Did you see any of the bullet holes in the back of the exhibits heads?

Von Hagen has a very good track record of documentation. One German newspaper tried to say that he didn't legally procure all of the bodies, and they ended up paying 150K Euros and printing a retraction.

He now has a waiting list of IIRC a couple of THOUSAND people signed up to donate. I remember that when the first one was starting up, some article said that he personally met the first 200(?) people who donated to explain why he wanted their bodies and what would happen to them.

The copycat exhibits, I'm not so sure about. That's why I didn't go to see "Bodies: The Exhibition" that was right here in Durham. Most of the bodies are Chinese, and the documentation is uh, not so hot. I'd rather not support it.

GDG!