Real Bodies

The bodies are prevented from decay by means of plastination, which is a rubberisation process patented in the 1970’s by anatomist Gunther von Hagens. It essentially replaces water and fatty material in the cells first with acetone then plastics, such as silicone rubber, polyester or epoxy resin.

You would be hard pressed to find someone who when questioned would not have an immediate opinion on the value or need of this exhibit. The views held both by individuals and groups are strong and at times very polarising. At the end of the day your opinion will be shaped by your environment, upbringing and life experiences.

In the modern times death is no longer so much of a taboo and as such, is this exhibit really so much different or more confronting than that of Tutankhamun? As humans in the 21^st century our thirst for knowledge, improvement and curiosity fuels an ever increasing interest in what may have in times gone by been more of a macabre fascination. The digging up of various graves and exhuming persons long gone along with their possessions is no longer termed “grave robbing” rather the new and preferred definition is archaeology.

My personal opinion is that if you are curious and intelligent enough to discern that these people donated their bodies to the “Real Bodies” exhibition for a reason – to teach others and as such who are you to begrudge them their last attempt at perpetuity? By all means go along and view the magic that is the human form – for once from the inside out. Which in these times of obsession with external appearance is almost a breath of fresh air.