Human Bodies Exhibition: 10 Incredible Images
Posted on February 19, 2008
Filed Under Science
I found out about “Bodies: The Exhibition” last week when I saw a report on ABC. Apparently, this is not the first time that exhibits similar to this one tour the US. Shows like this one have been pretty successful in the past, bringing more than 16 million visitors in 27 cities in Asia, Europe, Los Angeles and other US cities. I was excited to find out that “Bodies: The Exhibition” is showing right now about an hour away from where I live. I’ll be going next weekend.
Picture #1: The Football Player
The images I’ve found online are truly amazing. By the way the bodies are posed, it looks to me more like an art exhibition than anything else, which I think probably makes it a much more approachable experience. The exhibition is publicized as an educational event:
“This exhibition will provide the public with an opportunity to see inside carefully preserved anatomical specimens and learn the detailed structure and function of the human body. In this process, human tissue is permanently preserved using liquid silicone rubber that is treated and hardened.”
Picture #2: Cut in Half
For years, we have been able to watch and learn about the rest of the world’s species; hundreds of museums around the globe display specimens of animals, plants, and historical documents and what not. Finally, we are the ones on display.
Picture #3: Pregnant Woman
This, as to be expected has caused some controversy. “Bodies: The Exhibition” claims that the bodies of their exhibition are obtained through a legal, willed body donation program.
Picture #4: Cut in Half 2
Some people are questioning that this is actually true, arguing that several of these bodies might have been illegally obtained through the Chinese government. I really hope that this is not true. Anyway, I’m really looking forward to seeing the exhibition and I am considering bringing my 3 year old daughter with me (any advise on this from the people that have seen it?).
Picture #5: Babies
A summary of the Polymer Preservation process:
A body is dehydrated by submersing it in acetone. Then, it is placed in a solution that consists of a mixture of liquid silicone polymer and crosslinker.
Picture #6: Holding his own skin
After this, the specimen is placed into a vacuum chamber where it is subjected to a gradual increase in vacuum pressure that produces a specimen that is now completely impregnated with liquid silicone even down to the cellular level.
Picture #7: Skateboarder
Finally, the body must be cured to allow for its permanent display. The end product is a dry, odorless body that resists decomposition (sounds like a pretty potent deodorant) thus allowing its user to create a unique collection of permanently preserved human specimen for public exhibition.
Picture #8: Guts
Picture #9: Face
Bodies can then be displayed without formaldehyde or glass containers, so visitors can come within inches of exposed organs.
Picture #10: Full Body
If you’re in any of these areas: Hartford, CT, Sarasota, FL, Kansas City, Sacramento, CA or Redding, CA, check out the Bodies Revealed Exhibition site for info and dates.
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15 Responses to “Human Bodies Exhibition: 10 Incredible Images”
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Totally agreed…some real amazing pictures and a little sobering too!
actually there is a location in Las Vegas, NV also. So add that location to the list!
i can’t explain my feelings to this pictures what if those any pictures there will happen to my god so plz i’m saying advise to the people around the world wag kayung gumawa ng hindi nyo ika bubuti
This has got to be the most unique exhibit that I have ever seen! It’s a must see for everyone who ever wondered what is really lurking just under the skin and also it will give you a much greater appreciation of the wonderful body that God has given us!
I went to one in the Tampa Bay area a few years ago, I’ve only been once, but it really is a great exhibit.
Most of the bodies were supplied from China so most likely the people being displayed never authorized this usage.
This is truly one the most amazing exhibitions I have ever seen.. I loved it. It was like a once in a lifetime thing for me.. I live in TN and it doesnt really come near where I live.. I saw it in Philadelphia.. Hopefully one day I can go see it again.. Would Highly recommend!
I DID NOT BRING MY 6 YR OLD SON THE FIRST TIME I SAW IT BECAUSE I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT, BUT NEXT TIME THE EXHIBIT COMES BACK TO PHOENIX I’LL BRING MY SON, IT IS VERY EDUCATIONAL AND ARTISTIC. LOVE IT…
I saw this exhibit when it was at the South Street Seaport in New York. It was very educational.
I wish I had researched it further before I paid to see this. After just simply googling the exhibit I found out some unpleasant facts out. I don’t have a problem if someone donates their bodies to this but it may have been prisoners that were tortured and/or killed then sold for profit and now money is made off of them. In China you can be put in prison for simply disagreeing with your political leaders. I will tell all that they should not see this exhibit until the proprietors fess up and show proof of the contrary. Thus far they have not proven the above false.
I think every teenager should see this exhibit…really opens your eyes
ta guenaso eso eh re gore
I am a 17 year old who writes for the school paper, it’s a part of me to do research before I go to something, especially something like this and what I found was unbearable. So I paid my $22 to get in and walked through a display of dead bodies, dead babies, dead pregnant women, and then I got to business. I hunted down the people in lab coats and asked questions… where did the bodies come from? Do these people have names? Why would we get a shipment from China of “donated” bodies, 200 fresh bodies all at once? How is this legal? Questions these all knowing people in white couldn’t seem to answer. So to anyone who’s thinking about going… Don’t keep your mouth shut. Ask questions. Cause problems. Because there is something wrong with this exhibit, would you walk through a collection of dead bodies collected from concentration camps in WWII Germany? Think about it…
this talk about the bodies having been sold… who cares they are dead its just a souless lifeless body…. i would not care if my body was used with or w/o my consent …
that’s just nasty