If you live anywhere near Philadelphia, run, do not walk to the Body Worlds exhibit at the Franklin Insitute. You HAVE to see it – especially if you have kids who are into science and aren’t skeeved out by the idea of dead bodies. I went last night and it’s one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen.
That photo on the first page of this link? That’s a real person, as are all the other bodies and body parts shown in the exhibit. You can see more photos of them here.
From the website:
What is BODY WORLDS? Gunther von Hagens' BODY WORLDS: The Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human Bodies, is a first-of-its-kind exhibit in which guests learn about anatomy, physiology, and health by viewing real human bodies, preserved through an extraordinary method called "plastination." The exhibition features more than 200 authentic human specimens, including entire bodies as well as individual organs and transparent body slices. Using the revolutionary process of plastination, the body specimens are preserved with special plastics that enable us to view the many organs and systems under our skin. The exhibit also allows for guests to understand diseases, the effects of tobacco consumption, and use of artificial supports such as knees and hips.
That's right. Lots of dead bodies, all plastinated and in various arrangments - some with just muscles, some with just arteries, some with just bone. Some have all the parts there but have been taken apart and rearranged so you can see everything. One memorable fellow was largely intact except for his skin - which was also plastinated and draped over his right arm like a long coat.
Posted by kswygert at October 21, 2005 11:58 AM