What is BODY WORLDS?
BODY WORLDS is the first exhibition of its kind to educate visitors about human anatomy, physiology and health through real human bodies. The exhibits have been preserved using plastination, a conservation process invented by scientist Dr. Gunther von Hagens in 1977, when he was working as an anatomist at the University of Heidelberg.
BODY WORLDS was founded by Dr. Gunther von Hagens and has been curated by Dr. Angelina Whalley, a physician and conceptual designer, since its inception. It is one of the most successful traveling exhibitions in the world. It has been on display since 1995 and has attracted over 150 million visitors throughout the Americas, Europe, South Africa, Asia
and Australia.
Although BODY WORLDS exhibitions have been seen all over the world, this is the FIRST time BODY WORLDS is coming to the Czech Republic.
What does BODY WORLDS exhibit?
The BODY WORLDS exhibition features real human exhibits, including whole-body plastinates and individual organs. The spectacular plastinates take visitors on an exciting journey to discover the human body beneath the skin. The exhibition provides a comprehensive view of the anatomy and physiology of the human body. In addition to the functions of individual organs, common diseases are described in an easy-to-understand manner, as well as by comparing healthy and diseased organs. Individual exhibits show the long-term impact of diseases and addictions, such as tobacco or alcohol consumption, and also show the mechanics of artificial knee and hip joints.
What is the goal of this exhibition?
BODY WORLDS aims to educate the public about the inner workings of the human body and to show the impact of disease, health and lifestyle. The exhibition's creators also hope that the exhibition will motivate visitors to learn more about anatomy and physiology.
Who should see BODY WORLDS?
Anyone interested in learning about what makes us who we are. The exhibits fascinate adult visitors of all ages as well as children. Given the nature of the BODY WORLDS exhibitions, we recommend that parents, guardians or teachers read all the information on our website and decide whether BODY WORLDS is appropriate for children of their age.
Is this exhibition suitable for children?
If you are thinking about taking children or school groups to BODY WORLDS, we recommend that you visit our website and find out how you can make the exhibition a learning experience for children. All children visiting BODY WORLDS must be accompanied by an adult.
Why is it important for the public to see these exhibitions?
The organizers of BODY WORLDS believe that when people better understand the functioning of the human body and what threatens our body, it is more likely that they will choose a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. They also hope that the exhibition can inspire visitors to learn more about science and life itself. Knowledge about the functioning of the human body is basic biological information that should be available to everyone.
Could I learn the same information from books or anatomical models?
The use of authentic samples of the human body allows us to investigate and study diseases, physiology and anatomy, which models, textbooks and photographs do not allow us. In addition, the exhibition helps visitors understand that every human body has its own unique features, even inside. Experience from various cities around the world has clearly demonstrated that real samples of human bodies fascinate visitors in a way that no anatomical models can.
Why are plastinates presented as they are?
The positions of the plastinates have been carefully thought out and are used for educational purposes. Each plastinate is designed to emphasize given anatomical features. For example, athletic positions show the use of individual muscle groups during sports. The positions are chosen in such a way as to emphasize the given anatomical features and allow the visitor to clearly see the similarity of the plastinate with his own body.
Are animals part of the BODY WORLDS exhibitions?
There are no plastination of animals at our exhibition.
What is plastination?
Plastination is a unique process invented by Dr. Gunther von Hagens in 1977 for the purpose of preserving body samples for medical training. This process replaces body fluids and fat in the samples with liquid plastics that harden after the so-called vacuum impregnation. After the bodies are positioned in realistic positions, they are cured with gas, heat or light. Plastinates show how our bodies move in everyday life and during sports activities. For more information, visit www.bodyworlds.com.
Where do the exhibited samples come from?
BODY WORLDS exhibitions are based on the established organ donation program. Donors registered in this program explicitly request that their bodies be used for public display after their death. All whole-body plastinates and most samples come from these donors; only some organs, fetuses and specific specimens that depict unusual health conditions come from old anatomical collections and morphological institutes.
Currently, more than 19,000 donors are registered in the donation program of the Institute for Plastination. For more information, visit the donation section at www.bodyworlds.com.
Will we find out who the plastinated bodies belonged to or how these people died?
By agreement with body donors, we do not disclose their identity and cause of death. The exhibition focuses on the physiology of human bodies, not on the communication of personal data. The exhibitions are based on the generosity of body donors; individuals who wished their bodies to be used for educational purposes after their death.
Have the ethical ambiguities regarding this exhibition been resolved?
Before the premiere of the BODY WORLDS exhibition in North America in 2004, an independent ethical commission of prominent theologians, ethicists, academics and doctors conducted an ethical evaluation of the exhibition. In 2017, this assessment was updated. You can download the ethical evaluation conducted by the California Science Center, which evaluated the ethics of the origin of the bodies exhibited at the BODY WORLDS exhibitions and the ethical nature of the exhibition, from our website www.bodyworlds.com.
Will I be able to touch any of the plastinates?
Although you can get very close to the plastinates, you are not allowed to touch them.
How long can I stay at each exhibit?
You can stay as long as you like during opening hours. We recommend allowing around one to two hours for the exhibition. This time varies depending on how long you wish to view the individual samples and whether you wish to read all the information.
Can you take photos or videos at exhibitions?
For ethical reasons, photography is not allowed at the exhibition. Thank you for your understanding.
Can I get sick at the exhibition?
Some visitors may initially be more sensitive to the sight of real human bodies. However, the exhibition is presented with respect and without shocking effects. If you feel nauseous, we recommend a short break outside the exhibition space.
Is the exhibition suitable for schools?
Yes. The exhibition is very popular among school groups because it realistically complements biology and health education lessons.
