In 2007, St. Louis was introduced to Gunther von Hagens’
incredible Body Worlds 3 exhibition at the Saint Louis Science Center. Visitors were amazed, shocked and intrigued at the display of preserved transparent body slices, bones, organs and hundreds of bodies in various poses and positions. The show has since moved on, but von Hagens’ is back with a new installation of twisting, jumping and leaping bodies.
The Saint Louis Science Center is hosting the St. Louis debut of the blockbuster exhibition BODY WORLDS & The Brain. Focusing specifically on the brain, this special presentation of more than 200 plastinated specimens is a great way to learn about the complexities of the mind. But I personally think the real draw to Body Worlds is, well, the bodies. Von Hagens has created a new display of skinless specimens riding a skateboard, practicing yoga, kicking a soccer ball and just sitting in a chair pondering the universe. Each is posed to illustrate different anatomical features.
In 1977, German physician and anatomist Gunther von Hagens developed the groundbreaking process of plastination. By draining all fluids and soluble fats from the body and replacing them with an acetone and polymer solution, this technique stops decomposition and preserves the body for scientific and medical study. To give the specimens rigidity and permanence,they are cured with light, heat or gases. The process takes days to preserve body slices and a year to preserve an entire body.
If you’re like me, you’re wondering where these bodies came from. All of the full-body plastinates and the majority of the specimens are from body donors. The Institute for Plastination currently has a donor roster of 8,000 individuals who have given permission for their bodies to be used after their death for educational purposes in the exhibitions. The donor’s identity and cause of death are not provided.
BODY WORLDS & The Brain is opening at the Saint Louis Science Center on Friday, June 10. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at the Science Center box office, by calling (314) 289-4424 or through Ticketmaster. Due to it’s graphic nature, this event is recommended for children in grades 5 and above. Admission for members is $15 for adults and $11 for children 5 to 18 years old. Seniors 62 or older and students with an I.D. are $13. The cost for non-members is $20 for adults, $13 for children 5 to 18 and $17 for Seniors 62 and older and students with an I.D. Children 5 and under are free.
BODY WORLDS & The Brain will be open Monday through Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (5 p.m. after Labor Day) and Thursday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Final entry into the exhibition is one hour prior to closing. The exhibit runs until October. While you’re reading up on BODY WORLDS & The Brains on the Science Center’s website, check out their Events Calendar for upcoming related events such as Family Artist Night.
By Andrea Wilson, Events Blogger for SmartParenting
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