Created by anatomist and licensed physician Dr. Gunther von Hagens, the BODY WORLDS exhibition is the world's first public anatomical presentation using Plastination, his groundbreaking method of specimen preservation. The display of approximately 200 authentic organs, organ configurations, and a broad collection of whole-body plastinates offers an unprecedented view of the human body. Visitors will be able to observe the body's functions, including locomotive, digestive, nervous and vascular systems, and compare healthy and diseased organs such as a healthy lung with that of a smoker's lung. " (from the web site).
This exhibit is at the Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas Texas. Has anyone seen this or planning to? I plan on trying to go in a few weeks. I think this will be so cool. Also helpful since I am taking A & P.
What really bothers me is his unwillingness to prove that the bodies were those of people who gave permission for their remains to be used in such a manner. Were these people prisoners executed in China? Hospital patients from Kyrgyzstan? And if all of those people did sign permission slips, as von Hagens claims, why won't he produce them?
Until he resolves the controversy, the debate over whether this is art is moot.
Absolutely. I agree with you because needless to say morals and ethics should prevail before artistic creativity. If in fact there was evidence of permission then it is up to the individual to decide whether or not he wants to view the exhibit and declare it's value as "art".
DesertRain
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Absolutely. I agree with you because needless to say morals and ethics should prevail before artistic creativity. If in fact there was evidence of permission then it is up to the individual to decide whether or not he wants to view the exhibit and declare it's value as "art".