Body Worlds is an art exhibition that toured Europe from 2001-2003. Retooled for 'aught five, it has made its way to the New World for stays in Philadelphia and Toronto. The brainchild of
Gunther von Hagens, a German anatomist, progenitor and patentee of the
plastination technique of preservation, Body Worlds features actual human corpses: plastinated, dissected and posed. Nutjob? Artist?
Criminal? von Hagens says his aims are primarily
educational. Slate has an informative
sideshow about the current exhibit, its origins and predecessors.
Criticisms of this work run the gamut from
predictable outrage to
marxist.
But if you're interested, you can
request plastination services, or go to the man himself and
donate your body(cool downloadable brochure on this page).
And, of course, what would a good exhibition be without a
shop?
Previously discussed, the first time around, here, here, here,and here. Similar exhibit in San Francisco this past summer called "The Universe Within". Plastination is also apparently a musical phenomenon.
posted by kosem
on Nov 4, 2005 -
69 comments
