When I heard that there were some human cadavers downtown at the Tech Museum, I knew this was something I had to see. After I explained the Body Worlds 2 exhibition to friends, some of them thought it sounded interesting, while others looked at me like I just told them I was going on a tour of the local morgue. In fact, I wasn’t sure if they were that far off.
The Rock and Roll Marathon—which in itself is just the event to bring nice people to downtown San Jose—made it a little more challenging to actually GET to the Tech Museum on Sunday, but I think it kept the crowds away. Though some of the people working at the museum that day could have been mistaken for cadavers (maybe they hadn’t had their caffeine yet that morning), at least there was no waiting to get inside. I later found out that they limit the number of people that can be in the exhibit hall at any one time.
Right from the beginning the security was very tight and it made me feel that I was seeing something really important and different. The exhibit hall itself is beautiful and the set-up is very impressive. The cadavers are preserved through a process called “plastination,” allowing you to see all the bone, muscle and nerve detail in each one. Many of them aren’t just merely cadavers, but more like art sculptures. It’s quite amazing to see real bodies formed into odd, beautiful and amazing positions. My favorite was a male and female formed into a pair of figure skaters doing the “death spiral” move, where you can see the muscles and body contorted into their positions.
What I am sure has added to some of the controversy about the exhibit was the woman cadaver with a 5-month-old fetus inside of her on display, as well as test tubes with preserved embryos in many stages of life. I found it fascinating to see organs and cadavers up close, something someone not in the medical field would never get the chance to see.
Though I had to keep reminding myself that these were once live human beings, it wasn’t a morbid display but, rather, an amazing and impressive exhibit of the human body. Though $22 is somewhat steep for entrance, it’s worth every penny. You have never nor will you ever see anything like this again.
Bring a friend, bring your family—it’s quite an awesome experience. Let’s all make sure something this great succeeds in this town. This must-see Body Worlds 2 exhibition is at the Tech Museum until January 26, 2008.
For more information: http://www.thetech.org/bodyworld/
Am I the only one who thinks this sounds revolting? I can’t even look at myself when I get a little cut without feeling faint.
The stark, sinewy, otherworldly appearance that results from the plastination process is not for everyone. If you have a weak stomach or are prone to nightmares, check the link below to get an idea of the horrors you can expect to encounter.
http://www.michaeltotten.com/archives/images/Nancy Pelosi.jpg
Attendance at the Tech is down so they figure that bringing in a freak show will improve it. Well look at TV, freak shows sell.
Not to me though. I actually made a rather large donation to the tech before it opened and have my name on a chair. I expected more.
Color me disappointed and no longer a member after mine expires.
Unfortunately, this is the attitude that keeps things from succeeding in this town. Do you think New York, or Chicago or LA would turn something away for the qualities that you mention above? I think controversy is good and it is in no way revolting…..I am not able to watch surgeries on TV but this is different. There is a reason that 100.000 of people go to see this all around the country. You are missing out if you decide not to go…
SG
Nothing sells bigger than porno but I don’t want to create a porno district just because lots of bigger cities have one and lots of folks would visit. Controversy has nothing to do with it, the defilement of the bodies of dead humans for the prurient entertainment of a bunch of bored yuppies on their way to or from cocktail hour is nothing more than an exercise in nihilism.
Almost every civilization in history has had the good sense to honor the remains of the dead with dignity. Heck, whenever we find the bones of dead Native Americans, we look to entrust their to care to responsible individuals for a dignified burial.
If this were controversial, there would be protesting hordes. No, I’m afraid we’re all just a little too shallow for that. Cheap thrills that’s all it is.
I saw the original show in LA. Fascinating stuff. I can understand why people might be “revolted” by the plastinated displays. IMHO, there’s an otherworldly beauty to them. But it isn’t otherworldly at all. Think about it: those bones and muscles and tissues are in you and all around you all the time, working, moving, living. What a wonder of design! Too bad it’s so gross, eh?
I didn’t mean to put down your post or the exhibit. I just meant to say that its not my cup of tea.
I think the reason things don’t succeed in San Jose is more complicated than simply the attitude of the people that live here. For example, high downtown rent and the lack of other people-drawing businesses discourages cool new shops and restaurants from making a home there.
I think the real problem lies in the city bringing the things people want to see to San Jose. They have a good start with Music in the Park and the Jazz Festival. But the Grand Prix I thought just made no sense.
We have a highly-educated, high-income population here. I’d like to see more activites, events, and exhibits (aside from cadavers) here in San Jose that reflect our demographics.