Places to visit.: The Anatomical Exhibition Of Real Human Bodies

Expression, March-April, 2005 by Kathie Gillaspey

Gunter von Hagen's

BODY WORLDS (BODY WORLDS 2): THE ANATOMICAL EXHIBITION OF REAL HUMAN BODIES

Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (Body Worlds)

February 4 to September 5, 2005; www.msichicago.org

California Science Center, Los Angles (Body Worlds 2)

January 29 to March 27, 2005; www.californiasciencecenter.org

Body Worlds main site: www.koerperwelten.com

Okay, I know what you must be thinking. Real human bodies? I don't think so ... a trip to the morgue is not my idea of fun. But this isn't even close. The traveling exhibit, which has already been seen by more than 15 million people throughout Europe and Asia, is now touring the U.S. The exhibit explores the breakthrough process of "plastination"--a process that replaces the body's water and fat with a fluid plastic which then hardens to retain all tissue structures. The result allows the general public to witness the incredible intricacies of design that make up the human body. The exhibit features over 200 human specimens, complete with full bodies shown in dynamic poses such as playing basketball, riding a bike and swimming. Before I went to the exhibit, I made sure not to eat a couple of hours prior and had mapped out the emergency exits--just in case. To my surprise, the bodies didn't convey any gruesome feelings, just those of fascination and pure respect for the art that is the human body.

The exhibit is presented in a learning environment, complete with audio tours for beginning and advanced attendees. Even the beginner version was a little over the top with medical terminology. But that might just be me, I tend to zone out on things requiring an encyclopedia. Most of the time, I forgot that the "mannequins" standing in front of me were real. And before you ask, the people displayed in the exhibit go though a rigorous interview process to donate their bodies for the sake of science. This exhibit may not be for everyone, but I'm glad I made the choice to view this once-in-a-life-time exhibit. The ultimate in art and design is the human body!