Body World Exhibition in Seville - Field Report

EM student Praveen Kumar, in his function as a Field Reporter for EMA, has made an exiting trip to Body World in Seville. The exposition has been discussed controversely throughout European media. Read the first hand account here...

In 1975, Gunther von Hagens, a German born anatomist, invented plastination technology for preserving anatomical specimens with the use of reactive polymers. Since then, plastination technology has evolved very much through von Hagens’ efforts and been received positively by people. Today, the science of plastination has smoothly transformed into art and is exhibited as ‘Body Worlds Expo’ all around the world.
Luckily, I got an opportunity to visit this exposition in Seville, Spain. Before I went, I thought this expo would be full of corpses hung all over the hall and would be too medical. However, as soon as I entered, the so called ‘plastinates’ (polymer preserved specimens) didn’t seem like corpses. The plastinates were displayed in an artistic way, some displayed playing chess, another as a goalkeeper and so on. The human body itself is a very complex and fascinating art of nature. By seeing these plastinates, one can wonder how beautiful nature has designed humans.
More than being an exposition of plastination and art, it was also educational. I used an audio guide which was really useful. At each display, I entered the corresponding number and each plastinate was explained. One can learn how every system of the body (respiratory, skeletal, etc.) works and what every organ looks like. As a result the exhibits provide an excellent visual learning experience.
Have you ever wondered what a chain smoker’s lungs or a heavy drinker’s liver looks like? If yes, then this exposition is for you, and there are many more fascinating things. Overall, this exposition is a new and enthralling experience. This exposition is exhibited all over Asia, Europe and America and further information is provided on its website. So don’t miss it and don’t forget the audio guides too!

Find out more at

http://www.bodyworlds.com/en/exhibitions/current_exhibitions.html
http://www.bodyworlds.es/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunther_von_Hagens