Los
Angeles—A nine-foot tall giant has just
arrived at BODY WORLDS: The Anatomical Exhibition
of Real Human Bodies.
While
scientists vaguely know what the Big Bang of
the universe looked like, you can now view ‘the
anatomical big bang of the human body’ at
BODY WORLDS at the California Science Center.
With all its muscles, bones and organs flying
apart but caught still by 350 nylon strings
this body, expanded to the size of a nine-foot
giant, becomes virtually transparent.
Along
with the giant, five more bodies arrived, presented
in unique and surprising poses, never before
seen in any exhibit. A Yoga lady stars in an
acrobatic ‘bridge pose’ and a youngster
is caught midair doing a handstand with his
skateboard. Each pose reveals different anatomical
highlights. The walking giant allows a detailed
view of our organ system. A leaping dancer
who balances on his brain, while his organs
are exposed from the back, was the favorite
of the new arrivals among body donors who attended
the unveiling ceremony.
Dr.
Gunther von Hagens, who unveiled the plastinates
today in front of 25 American body donors and
distinguished guests of the California Science
Center said, “I added these new plastinates
to show something fresh to those who are visiting
BODY WORLDS several times. These plastinates
show our marvelous anatomy in a surprising
new way. This is what I call ‘event anatomy.’ I
also brought these plastinates to thank the
American public for their enthusiastic reception
of the exhibition’s debut in the United
States.”
To
date, more than 300,000 guests have viewed
the BODY WORLDS exhibit and the demand has
been so great that the California Science Center
is now scheduling to open the exhibit on Christmas
and New Year’s day – two days the
Science Center is normally closed. The exhibit
will close on January 23, marking the only
West Coast opportunity to see it before it
travels on the rest of its United States tour.
ABOUT
THE EXHIBIT
BODY
WORLDS: The Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human
Bodies, a first-of-its-kind exhibit in which
visitors learn about anatomy, physiology and
health by viewing real human bodies, preserved
through an extraordinary new method called "plastination,"
BODY WORLDS, which has toured Asia and Europe
to great acclaim, has drawn more than 15 million
visitors. The 20,000 sq. ft. exhibit features
more than 200 authentic human specimens, including
entire bodies as well as individual organs and
transparent body slices. This is the largest
special exhibit ever mounted at the California
Science Center.
Science
Center President Jeffrey N. Rudolph notes that, "BODY
WORLDS supports the educational mission of
the Science Center. This is one of the most
powerful exhibits I have ever seen. The unique
use of authentic specimens teaches lessons
about health, disease, physiology and anatomy
that could not be possible with constructed
models, photos or textbooks. Ultimately, the
use of real human bodies inspires new respect
for the body and its incredible complexity."
IMPORTANT
Note to Editors and Reporters –
We invite you to come and see the exhibit. To
facilitate your visit, please note that the Institute
for Plastination, which developed this exhibit,
requires members of the print and broadcast media
to complete special user agreement forms before
on-site coverage of BODY WORLDS is allowed. For
your convenience, these forms may be found on
the Science Center website's BODY
WORLDS media page. Members of the press are
welcome to an audio-guided tour of the exhibition
and extensive press pack upon showing a valid
press ID at the BODY WORLDS press desk by the
exhibition entrance in the California Science
Center. If wish to receive the comprehensive
information about the body donation program,
please contact bodydonation@plastination.com or pressoffice@plastination.com.
For
more information on the BODY WORLDS exhibition
and body donation, please visit www.californiasciencecenter.com or www.bodyworlds.com.
For
information regarding photographs and interview
requests, please contact Georgina Gomez or
in the Body Worlds Press Office via e-mail
at g.gomez@plastination.com or
by telephone on (213) 744-2679 and fax on (213)
744-2026.
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