Bodies - Exihibition

Has anyone else seen the "Bodies" exhibition?
If so how did it effect you?

I went to see it on Friday in Amsterdam.
The idea of dissected dead bodies being used as exhibits is a bit macabre, but also fascinating.
I was unsure of how I would react.

In practise the process that is used to preserve the bodies turns them into a plastic looking and feeling material, so they don't seem too real.

The detail of the bone and muscle structure is preserved.

Even someone like me with only a basic knowledge of anatomy can learn a lot about how the body works from looking at the structures.

The whole circulatory system is effectively stripped out of a body, plasticised and hung up to see.
There's also a series of cross sections through the main organs.
Its amazing.

For the smokers there's also the obligatory smokers lung exhibit.
At the end you get to handle a real, preserve, bits of bodies. Always presuming that your not to squeamish!

This ranks as one of the best exhibitions I have ever been to, if you get the chance I recommend it to everyone.


Just to put things in perspective, I was there for a week and had done the RLD and the Koffee shops first!

I saw that when it was in london, I thought it was amazing. The detail on the blood vessels was incredible. Still a little creepy though. When was it in amsterdam? I was there a couple of weeks ago and failed to notice it.

I saw the one at Earls Court last July - found it totally fascinating. Unfortunately I didn't have much time, so I ended up dashing through much faster than I'd have liked. The human body never fails to amaze me - the complexity of the structure, the fact that it manages to work at all when we put it through such a tough time.

Even more fascinating was a day in dissection lab at Guy's hospital in December - no plastination there... and a smell I'll never forget! Not something to do when you've got a hangover I reckon...

The Bodies one that was on at Earl's Court was very good but if you get to see the oiginal Von Hagen's Bodyworlds* do so, even if you have seen Bodies. Its simply stunning. Exceptional piece of work and very educative (both of them).

*mind you that was in a great place in Brick Lane, Earl's Court wasnt laid out as well.

I'm still kicking myself for not seeing either of these.

I am quite squeamish (never used to be before childbirth, strangely) but do have a fascination with how bodies work and how th ehuman form is used in art. Glad you enjoyed it.

[Spiderman]

I watchd the Doc with the hat o his thing on Ch4 sometime last year. Fascinating stuff

I did A level Biology at school and even tho i know a fair bit about the human body this guy just showed it to you in ways a text book just cant get across. Like when he skinned one of the corpses and hung the skin up by itself. Amazing stuff but not for the squemish i guess.

[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by Dr Rich

Von Hagen's Bodyworlds* do so, even if you have seen Bodies. Its simply stunning. Exceptional piece of work and very educative (both of them).

*mind you that was in a great place in Brick Lane, Earl's Court wasnt laid out as well.

Same.

Saw the bodyworlds at Brick Lane.

Don't usually like museums/exhibitions but this was Amazing!

Couldn't believe how crammed in all the organs are - there aint alot of room in there you know!

How did that Baz Lurman 'song' go

'Use your body in every way you can - it's the most amazing thing you will ever own'
or similar

[anna]

I went to see this several years ago and it was fantastic. A lot of information to take in first sitting but, unfortunately I didn't get to see it at Earls court this time around.

I remember that this caused a lot of controversy when it first came over here especially the exhibition of children. I understand that not everyone would want to view these things however, purely from an informative point of view I found them absolutely fascinating.