Body Worlds: Art and Science Combined

[null1 606]

Before I go any further, what I am going to be talking about might be rather disturbing to some, if I post any links, they will be in spoiler boxes, this base post is safe until you click the spoilers. Read at your own discretion.

 

Anyways...

 

Recently upon one trek across the internet I read about the technique of plastination in anatomy, the preservation of bodies or body parts for observation, usually to show how muscled and organs work. These samples do not smell or decay. The inventor, German Anatomist Dr. Gunther von Hagens (such a cool guy), developed this technique in 1977. Years later in 1995, the traveling exhibition known as Body Worlds, premiered.

 

The exhibition displays many human and animal plastinates in various poses and degrees of dissection. It's quite an amazing thing to see actually. The bodies are all donated by willing volunteers from a body donation program. Though of course, there are many controversies regarding Body Worlds, ALOT.

 

I wish one day to visit one of these exhibitions, it is art and science blended into one. It's the purest way to see the Human anatomy in the flesh while still being so fresh.

 

A video detailing the process of plastination

 

This video contains footage of the deceased, I advise caution if you are very sensitive to such content.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xui7q21y0bU

 

 

 

And a link to the Wikipedia article that can explain more (Pictures of Plastinates included)

 

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

 

 

I would suggest to those that are curious to do some more searching on the subject, you'll find plenty of pictures of some of the specimens. You will be impressed (or repulsed).

Edited February 22, 2013 by DeltaTangent

[MelancholicMemory 2,025]

Like I said in the tree thread, my skull is being donated to perform Hamlet, and the rest of me is going out viking style. Okay, the viking thing is just a joke, but I would probably be more comfortable ending up as a tree when I die than ending up on display like this. So, no, I personally wouldn't donate my body to this particular venture, though it is certainly interesting.

[Golurk 468]

I actually went and saw it when it came to my town. It was VERY interesting, and I HIGHLY encourage all of you to go see it if you get the chance. To be honest, I didn't find it that bad in terms of *ahem* grossness.

Coming from the guy that was excited at the chance to cut a dead cat's skull in half for class in high school...

 

I'd definitely donate to this. Anything I can do to educate and inspire the masses is worth it in my book. 

Besides, it's not like I'd be using my corpse anyway. 

[Dark Fox 151]

You cannot choose the pose, once you give them your body your corpse becomes the company's property, thus, they can make you pick your skinless nose for as long as they choose you'll be laughed at by every child who enters...

 

Just kidding, I personally wouldn't, but i've seen videos on the exhibit and it looks pretty cool.

[null1 606]

Besides, it's not like I'd be using my corpse anyway. 

Exactly, only other idea I can think of is being an organ donor, but that doesn't always last forever. But being a plastinate or plastinate slice allows you to help educate and inform multiple people.

 

And even if we couldn't choose our own poses, I can see Dr. von Hagens personally choosing his own pose for his body after he dies. And somehow I can see his plastinated body still wearing the black fedora he always wears.

 

If I could choose a pose, it would be perhaps sitting down with my tobacco pipe in my mouth.

 

But as Dark Fox said, they'll probably choose their own pose, I'll probably be the body doing the Gangnam Style Dance at the exhibition. The kids will laugh...

[Gay Bird 421]

I always thought burrying dead people in the ground was useless, and I always supported stuff like this. I'd donate my body to science when I die, I won't be needing it. I'm 15 though so I don't have to worry about that right now. I've got a long life of making films and performing at rock concerts ahead of me.