The DC Traveler » bodies http://www.thedctraveler.com A Washington DC insider’s travel guide that’s full of area information for both tourists and residents. Covers area attractions, activities, events, nightlife, memorials and monuments, historic sites, museums, the Smithsonian, site see Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:17:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Body Worlds 2 http://www.thedctraveler.com/2008/03/body-worlds-2/ http://www.thedctraveler.com/2008/03/body-worlds-2/#comments Mon, 10 Mar 2008 08:29:05 +0000 http://www.thedctraveler.com/body-worlds-2/ Post from: The DC Traveler

]]> The Kicker In 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 Chinese bodies, for use in the preserved and skinless anatomical exhibit.  The claims were that many of the bodies were used in Bodies – the Exhibition were used without the legal consent of the deceased or their family.

A second competing and potentially less controversial exhibit, BODY WORLDS 2, now on display at the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore, has publicly stated that all bodies used in its display are from people who, while still alive, willed their bodies for plastination.

The BODY WORLDS 2 exhibit includes close to 200 authentic human specimens, both full bodies (about 25 specimens), as well as individual organs, body parts and slices of the human body, which illustrate how the human skeletal system and organs fit together.  Several specimens also show the damage to the body from diseases such as cancer or the impact of smoking on the lungs. 

The Dancer

BODY WORLDS 2 is a graphic exhibit and is not for the easily disturbed and may be considered offensive to others. Viewer discretion, especially regarding children, is advised.

Body Worlds 2
Maryland Science Center
601 Light Street, at the Inner Harbor
Baltimore, MD 21230 – about 1 hour from DC (map it)

Dates and Times – Daily 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-6, , Sun. 9-5, through September 1, 2008. 

Tickets – Prices include admission to the Maryland Science Center as well as to Body Worlds 2.  Adults – $24.00, Children 3-18 – $18.00, Seniors 62+ and adult students with ID – $23.00.  Tickets are available online at Ticketmaster.

Parking – Paid garage/lot parking is available in the area, for around $10.00

Images – Flickr – The Kicker, The Dancer

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Post from: The DC Traveler

]]> http://www.thedctraveler.com/2008/03/body-worlds-2/feed/ 4 Bodies – The Exhibition http://www.thedctraveler.com/2007/04/bodies-the-exhibition/ http://www.thedctraveler.com/2007/04/bodies-the-exhibition/#comments Sun, 22 Apr 2007 09:02:00 +0000 http://www.thedctraveler.com/bodies-the-exhibition/ Post from: The DC Traveler

]]> 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.

Bodies - Ball playerThe 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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Post from: The DC Traveler

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