The Museum of Science and Industry just opened BODY WORLDS: The Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human Bodies, the Midwest premiere of an exhibit that has awed nearly 16 million people around the world. In this eye-opening exhibition, guests learn about anatomy, physiology and health by viewing real human bodies that have preserved through the unprecedented process of 'plastination.' BODY WORLDS is open to the public through Sept. 5, 2005.
BODY WORLDS made its North American debut at the California Science Center in July and through its run hosted more than 650,000 visitors. Until BODY WORLDS, viewing the intricacies of the human body had been reserved for the medical community. But with the exhibit's 200 authentic human specimens—including entire bodies, individual healthy and diseased organs, and transparent body slices—the general public is able to view the many layers and systems under the skin in vivid detail, and understand the relationship between healthy lifestyles and healthy bodies.
'BODY WORLDS supports the Museum's mission. It allows us to present a captivating and compelling experience that is real and educational,' said David Mosena, Museum president and CEO. 'These authentic specimens give us an extraordinary opportunity to view and learn about human health and the significance of our lifestyle choices.'
Invented by Dr. Gunther von Hagens in 1977, the plastination process replaces the natural fluids in the body with reactive plastics that are initially fluid, but then harden after impregnation. Before hardening the plastic in the specimens, the plastinates are fixed into lifelike poses, illustrating how our bodies internally respond to everyday movements and activities. This unique process also provides the flexibility and strength needed to display and preserve the specimens in their true-to-life form, without the use of glass barriers and formaldehyde.
'BODY WORLDS allows people of all backgrounds to get to better understand the body and how it functions,' said von Hagens. 'They get a view of themselves, and of their bodies, that they have never had before. This exhibit is a remarkable teaching tool.'
More than 200 specimens detail the body's diverse anatomy and numerous systems, including the locomotive, digestive, nervous and vascular systems, and even the development of life in the womb. Approximately 25 whole bodies, referred to in the exhibit as 'plastinates,' reveal the true-to-life spatial relationships among organs. Some plastinates are authentically posed playing soccer or basketball, pondering a chess move, swimming and running, allowing visitors to comprehend the inter-connectedness of the muscle, organ and vascular systems and view them in various positions. During the run of BODY WORLDS, the Museum is also showing the complementary Omnimax film, The Human Body, on its five-story domed wrap-around theater.
See www.msichicago.org or call ( 773 ) 684-1414 or ( 800 ) GO-TO-MSI.