An Exhibition That Might Interest You

[spyrelx]

 

 

 

 

 

Posted this on TAOUSA but thought I'd post here as well

 

This Exhibit is in NY right now but is probably going to tour the country.

 

It's called "Bodies" and they've taken a bunch of human bodies, and parts of bodies, and treated them with a polymer so that they can just stand there like rubber dolls. Then they've removed certain layers, so for instance, you'll see a body without any skin, or without skin and muscles but with all the organs, or just showing the gastrointestinal system, or just the muscles and tendons, etc.

 

It's a facinating exhibit and, oddly, not grotesque or stomach churning at all.

 

I found it particularly interesting because of my interest in all the daoist stuff ("so that's where the kidney's are, and that's what the diaphram looks like"). Yeah, I knew where all this stuff was and what it looked like from books, but it's nothing compared to actually seeing it hanging in a real body.

 

Two caveats,

 

This is an exhibit from China. There's been some accusations that some of these bodies may in fact be from prisoners, though the sponsors claim it's not the case. A google search will give you articles on the claims and counter claims.

 

It's an expensive ticket. About $25 in NY, which pissed me off when I went in but which I thought was worth it when I came out.

 

Here's a link to the NYC Exhibit (scroll down the page once you get there):

 

http://www.southstreetseaport.com/EventsEn...nment/EventCal/

Edited November 29, 2005 by spyrelx

[Yoda]

I would like an anatomy book with photos like that! I'll keep my eyes... peeled.

[thelerner]

I have friends who saw the exhibit when it was in Chicago and raved about it. I didn't see it, but can't get over the ghoulish aspect of it. The 'exhibits' were live people, now they're displayed naked and artistically mutilated for our enjoyment. It doesn't feel right to me.

 

What next, snuff films? There's probably some 'educational' value to them as well. To me its one step backwards for civilization. And there's some question as to how he came by some of the bodies, thus problems in many European countries for the artist/embalmer.

 

Call me a wet blanket

 

Michael

[spyrelx]

I have friends who saw the exhibit when it was in Chicago and raved about it.  I didn't see it, but can't get over the ghoulish aspect of it.  The 'exhibits' were live people, now they're displayed naked and artistically mutilated for our enjoyment.  It doesn't feel right to me. 

 

What next, snuff films?  There's probably some 'educational' value to them as well.  To me its one step backwards for civilization.  And there's some question as to how he came by some of the bodies, thus problems in many European countries for the artist/embalmer.

 

Call me a wet blanket

 

Michael

9399[/snapback]

 

 

Michael you're such a wet blanket.

 

No, seriously, I COMPLETELY understand your position. And I had some issues myself. But that was before going. All I can say is, once there, I didn't find it ghoulish or disgusting or titilating or pornographic. I simply found it facinating. I also found it educational.

 

Speaking of education, for what its worth (which is probably not much) I also noticed that there were a LOT of med students in the crowd. And I mean a lot. It's like every other conversation I overheard involved some excited med student. So at least a small percentage of the audience is actually using this as an educational tool.

 

As I say, I do respect your qualms. It just somehow worked for me.

 

peace.

[Trunk]

This exhibit was in L.A. some years back. I have a friend who is a massage therapist, and she thought it was amazing. I didn't think I really wanted to see people's insides that bad, so skipped it.

[Yoda]

How were the bodies obtained anyways? I'm thinking of donating mine to science.

 

-Yoda

[thelerner]

I did notice that ticket sales for the day there were 1,102, but the exit rotary only showed 1,098 people had left the exhibit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peas

 

Michael

[sean]

This is big in Germany. There is a great exhibit in Berlin. In fact if you rent the movie Anatomie (with sexy Franka Potente) there are lot's of great shots of the pieces in it (and it's also not a bad movie).

 

I caught some pieces similar to this in the "Sensations" exhibit in Brooklyn years ago. You know, the one that Giuliani got upset about because of the dung on the virgin Mary art piece.

 

I think $25 is not a lot to check this out. It would be a cool meditation and I'll check it out if it comes near here.

 

Sean