Body Worlds 2
At the Montreal Science Centre from May 10 to September 16.
Some of you may have already seen this in Toronto (or elsewhere in the world) and your reviews would be appreciated, but I'm really looking forward to seeing it here in Montreal! Basically, for those not in the know, it is an anatomical exhibit. The thing is, these are not your regular 'art gallery sculptures', nor are they drawings, or stone/bronze/wax sculptures... these are real people with real organs, muscles and skeletons that are on display! (Dr?) Gunther Von Schaller invented a technique he calls plastination (in 1977!) where all bodily fluids are extracted and are replaced with some kind of epoxy that prevents the cadavers from decomposing and solidifies them into various poses.
I repeat, these real human beings on display; people who have donated their bodies to science (specifically Von Schaller) and have agreed to have their bodies 'preserved.' I imagine many people will feel awkward/queasy about it being real cadavers, but I think it's too fascinating to pass up! (Remember though that every major European city had an anatomical theatre and people would pay (just as if they were going to the Opera) to see bodies dissected!)
Apparently this exhibit is constantly packed. I wonder if going first thing in the morning would relieve the crowds a bit...
http://www.bodyworlds.com/en.html
At the Montreal Science Centre from May 10 to September 16.
Some of you may have already seen this in Toronto (or elsewhere in the world) and your reviews would be appreciated, but I'm really looking forward to seeing it here in Montreal! Basically, for those not in the know, it is an anatomical exhibit. The thing is, these are not your regular 'art gallery sculptures', nor are they drawings, or stone/bronze/wax sculptures... these are real people with real organs, muscles and skeletons that are on display! (Dr?) Gunther Von Schaller invented a technique he calls plastination (in 1977!) where all bodily fluids are extracted and are replaced with some kind of epoxy that prevents the cadavers from decomposing and solidifies them into various poses.
I repeat, these real human beings on display; people who have donated their bodies to science (specifically Von Schaller) and have agreed to have their bodies 'preserved.' I imagine many people will feel awkward/queasy about it being real cadavers, but I think it's too fascinating to pass up! (Remember though that every major European city had an anatomical theatre and people would pay (just as if they were going to the Opera) to see bodies dissected!)
Apparently this exhibit is constantly packed. I wonder if going first thing in the morning would relieve the crowds a bit...
http://www.bodyworlds.com/en.html
