Bodyworlds 3 at OMSI

[ozron]

Erin and I spent theis morning at Bodyworlds 3, now showing at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. In a word: INCREDIBLE!

Bodyworlds is an anatomical exhibition featuring actual human bodies that have gone through the process of Plastination, where fuids and saturated fats are removed and replaced with specialized polymers, preserving the form and colors of living tissue.

I knew that this would be a fascinating exhibit, giving the opportunity to see things one normally wouldn't. What I didn't quite expect was the beauty and artistry of the presentation. The full body figures were shown in exquisite, graceful, and powerful poses. Exploded views, displaying internal organs and mechanics, were worked into these poses in brilliantly imaginative and poetic manner. It was the wonder of the human body on full display.

Pretty amazing.

[Capt Jack]

theyve got a very similar (related?) exhibit going on here in SD. I so badly want to go, but am really sort of resisting going alone.

Link to SD exhibit (http://www.museumtix.com/venue/program.asp?pvt=&vid=701&pid=167966)

It just strikes me as something you'd want someone there with you to get the full impact of the sights and reaction from those you're with.

Sadly, I cant think of anyone that would go with me and not loathe (get ill over?) the experience.

[ozron]

Had to duck out to upload image.

This was my daughter's favorite figure:

http://home.earthlink.net/~arrhar/couple.jpg
"Juxtaposed Couple"

[Ponine]

Sadly, I cant think of anyone that would go with me and not loathe (get ill over?) the experience.

We've had a lot of folks at the one near me protesting the "creation of life" tent, saying it was not Pro-Life.
They've been trying to call in lots of clinic support volunteers.

[Capt Jack]

why does it have to be pro or against anything at all? its humanity in its rawest form. I wish they could just take it as that and learn something from it instead of spinning it to meet their adjenda.

/sigh

but thanks for the warning. I may still go, even if its alone. just not something I want to risk missing

[innerSpaceman]

While BW 1 was fascinating, it literally took me months to get over the heebie jeebies. I was constantly aware of the way my organs, muscles, tendons, bloodvessels, etc. are literally PACKED too frelling tightly into my body. I kept looking out through eyes that were implanted loosely in my skull, rather than looking out through myself. I felt too much like a mysteriously animated meat puppet rather than a soul-alive creature.

The displays were awesome and intriguing ... and I never need to put myself through it again.



Oh, I might add ... it left me counting the minutes until I contracted some fatal disease or condition ... since the point of BW 1 was to demonstrate the afflications of the body - - so many examples of damaged tissue and diseased organs that the conclusion you'd soon be hit with at least one of those hundred ailments was all but inescapable.


Repeat visit? No thanks.

[blueerica]

I loved seeing BodyWorlds when it was in Los Angeles. Completely and totally fascinating.

[blueerica]

While BW 1 was fascinating, it literally took me months to get over the heebie jeebies. I was constantly aware of the way my organs, muscles, tendons, bloodvessels, etc. are literally PACKED too frelling tightly into my body. I kept looking out through eyes that were implanted loosely in my skull, rather than looking out through myself. I felt too much like a mysteriously animated meat puppet rather than a soul-alive creature.

The displays were awesome and intriguing ... and I never need to put myself through it again.



Oh, I might add ... it left me counting the minutes until I contracted some fatal disease or condition ... since the point of BW 1 was to demonstrate the afflications of the body - - so many examples of damaged tissue and diseased organs that the conclusion you'd soon be hit with at least one of those hundred ailments was all but inescapable.


Repeat visit? No thanks.

That's right - I remember you writing about that!

I think to some degree I did that too. Arms outstretched and thinking of the veins, muscle, fat and bones just beneath my skin. Hmmm, but that's the kind of thing that makes me want to go back. :)

[Capt Jack]

Arms outstretched and thinking of the veins, muscle, fat and bones just beneath my skin. Hmmm, but that's the kind of thing that makes me want to go back. :)

exactly why I want to go. I think it could be an unparalelled self awareness experience.

[ozron]

It was fun watching people at the exhibit flexing, touching their faces, and generally exploring their own anatomy while looking at the displays.

There were some specimens showing healthy organs next to some with tumors, but the main health message was anti-smoking. Near the blackened lungs of a smoker was a video of Yul Brynner's posthumous PSA and a box filled with pledge cards and more than a few last packs of cigarettes.

[Capt Jack]

the main health message was anti-smoking. Near the blackened lungs of a smoker was a video of Yul Brynner's posthumous PSA and a box filled with pledge cards and more than a few last packs of cigarettes.

another fantastic reason to drag myself there.

[Kevy Baby]

another fantastic reason to drag myself there."drag" yourself there. Bwah hah... I get it!

[Alex]

Is Bodies: The Exhibition the same thing or just a similar competing thing?

We saw it in Vegas, it was also featured prominently in a scene of the last James Bond movie. It was a little too big to hold my interest through the whole exhibit but a lot more interesting than I expected (it was Lani that wanted to see it).

[ozron]

Bodyworlds is the original presentation. There are other exhibits that have copied the technology and pleagiarized the format. OMSI has taken pains to point out ethical concerns with the "copycat" exhibits, mostly having to do with the method of obtaining the specimens.

Bodyworlds uses clearly documented donor bodies. Others have used abandoned and unclaimed bodies, and have copied much of Bodyworlds presentation.

[innerSpaceman]

But it was official "BodyWorlds" that was featured in Casino Royale, and not any of the cadaverous rip-offs.

[Alex]

You're right. I was confused because while the movie showed Body Worlds as being in Miami, Body Worlds has never been in Miami. Bodies...The Exhibition, however, was in Miami at the time the movie was release so I thought that was it (also I had no idea there were multiple competing shows).

However, the museum scene was filmed in Prague according to IMDb, so it was probably an unfortunate coincidence that when released there really was a competing show in Miami.