Bodies - The Exhibition
Experience with human body like never before. See what we look like on the inside, without our skin. Using real human bodies that have been preserved in an innovative process.
The exhibit, BODIES - The Exhibition, shows over 20 human bodies presented as pieces of art, which show the skeletal, muscular, respiratory, and circulatory systems of the body.
The exhibit also displays 200+ individual body parts; some are highly educational and show the effects of obesity, sedentary (couch potato) lifestyles and smoking, as well as diseases such as cancer, cirrhosis, arthritis and osteoporosis.
The bodies are sourced from the medical university in China and all died from natural causes. While specific details of the individuals are not known, the preservationists were able to determine some aspects about the general health of the bodies before death.
The preservation process for a full body takes upwards of the year. The process starts with a traditional mortuary process of removing bodily fluids. Then the preservationists determine how the body will be presented and it is dissected accordingly. The body is then placed in an acetone bath which replaces any liquid, water or remaining fluids. This is followed by immersion into a silicone polymer that replaces the acetone and enters each cell. The final step is the application of a hardening catalyst.
This highly controversial and graphic exhibit has received both praise and is considered by some disturbing or offensive. Viewer discretion is advised. Additionally, parents are strongly advised to seriously consider the impact on younger or more sensitive children.
BODIES - The Exhibition
The Dome in Roslyn
1101 Wilson Boulevard
Rosslyn, VA 22209
UPDATE - Nov. 2008 - There are several exhibits touring the U.S. As of November 2008, the closest exhibit to Washington, DC is in New York City. The exhibit has no current end date.
Dates and Times - through October 14th, Sundays - Wednesdays - 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Thursdays - Saturdays 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Tickets - Timed tickets are available online. Adults - $26.50, Seniors - $21.00, kids 4-12 - $18.00
Nearest Metro subway station - Rosslyn - Blue and Orange lines, then a two-block walk.
Parking - Street and garage parking is available in the area.
Image - Flickr.
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15 Comments
[...] with human body like never before. The “Bodies- the exhibition” is currently ’showing’ in Washington DC, with virtual guide tour Jon of the DC [...]
How do I get into the book store via the net in The Va. exhibit? thank you.
Noranora: Try this link for Bodies merchandie - http://www.jsrdirect.com/webstores/bodiestheexhibition/
[...] out my earlier post for all the details regarding attending Bodies and for ticket [...]
[...] activities health spine Today I went to the Bodies exhibit at the exhibition center in Rosslyn. I am SO happy that I went and I highly recommend it to everyone [...]
I would like to know if the body exhibit coming close to Maryland or could you send me a list of states or other location that the exhibit
this was a great opportunity for me to discover other worldly things that i thought i new all about
There are two similar exhibitions traveling the country. This one, from China, is considered ethically reprehensible by museum professionals because the specimens on display come from unclaimed corpses and, I believe, prisons. They were not donated to science by either the people themselves, or their next of kin. Very few legitimate museums will accept this exhibit because of the ethical violation of human dignity, if not human rights.
The original exhibit, Bodyworld, which has just opened in the Maryland Science Center, on the other hand, is as ethically clean as the Body:the Exhibit exhibit is reprehensible. All the specimens were donated by the people themselves, or by their next of kin, all of whom understood exactly what the process entailed. The paperwork is in order, the legal documents and ethical standards are without reproach, and the exhibit is excellent.
I strongly discourage anyone from giving money to the Bodies:the Exhibit by either visiting the exhibit or buying their paraphernalia. Instead, take a trip to Baltimore and the Maryland Science Center to see the original exhibit, which you can go to with a clean conscience.
Thanks for your comment Kristen.
There continues to be much controversy about this exhibit. I recall when I wrote this post that the Bodies team claimed that the bodies were sourced from a Chinese medical university.
I’ll look into the one at the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore.
Thanks for your comments.
hey i was wondering if i could use your photos for a podcast i am doing on bodies for my major electronics media at the university of cincinnati. it is educational and i will even post a link to your site giving you full credit for photography
[...] April, I wrote about the controversial plastination human body exhibit here in Washington, DC, Bodies - the Exhibition. The major controversy surrounding the exhibit were reports of questionable sourcing of [...]
is the exhibition coming to maui
This is a great exhibit. There’s also one in Las Vegas. Very cool!!
Disgusting. How is this different from a freak show?
The presentation is actually very tastful to most people.