Body Worlds 2

Gunther von Hagen's Bodyworlds 2: The Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human Bodies, is the most amazing exhibit I have seen in a long time.

We went to see it at the Museum of Science this past weekend, it’s last weekend in Boston. 3 hours was not enough time to take it all in. I regretted that I had not seen the show earlier and given myself time to really examine each system individually.

The bodies are preserved through a process called Plastination, and to answer a question I got repeatedly asked – no it is not gross. Far from it. An almost perfect intersection of science and art. The exhibit renewed my awe and respect for the body. We do ridiculous things to make our bodies look better – when really if we thought about all that was going on in our bodies at any moment, we would be in complete awe and wonderment.

I would have loved to spend a visit just watching the audience. Unlike usual visitors, people spoke in hushed voices, and the snatches of conversation I overheard would make interesting short stories. I hope every science class got out to see it.

I find it hard to put into words what amazed me the most. If you get a chance to see the show, I would highly recommend it.

FMI: http://www.bodyworlds.com