Sensationalist art

The Body Worlds exhibit has been stirring up quite a controversy in the United States. Its creator, Dr. Gunther von Hagens has been nicknamed “Dr. Frankenstein” due to his unsettling exhibits that have been sweeping the nation. These displays feature skinless, muscular figures that are posed to create both a science display as well as a work of art. It seems as if beauty is not just skin deep.

Von Hagens, a German scientist, invented the process of “plastination” which is a complex process where the body is dehydrated and injected with silicone, rubber and polyester. Sounds like an intense science experiment. However odd this process sounds, according to the Chicago Tribune, the plastination process preserves the muscles, eyes and internal organs and allows for intricate viewing. Not everyone sees this as a “cool” thing though. In fact, many claim that this is an unethical process.

Plastination is not just a science experiment–it is one of the few works of art that actually enlightens its viewers. Where else can you go to see a liver shriveled by alcohol poisoning or a brain withered by Alzheimer’s disease? Other than going into a morgue or medical laboratory, you won’t find this type of “artwork” anywhere. Dr. von Hagens noted this and wanted to teach others what he knew about the body. While his figures are seen as brilliant to some, they do not appeal to everyone. In fact, he has experienced quite a backlash for his work.

According to ethicsscoreboard.com, many find this process unethical, claiming that treating a human body in such a manner is degrading. Maybe so, but all bodies had a signed informed consent to go along with them. These people knew what they were donating their bodies to, and had absolutely no objections. In fact, it appears that people are jumping on the opportunity to donate their bodies, according to the Washington Post. In addition, what moral code has been broken? No one was harmed–these people were already dead. They have donated their bodies to science in order to educate others, which Body Worlds does.

While some of these bodies have been “transformed” into somewhat crude positions, this is where the “art” comes into play-sensationalistic art, to be exact. However, Dr. von Hagens welcomes the controversy. Examples of his exhibits include a male figure, posed in a standing position while holding his skin over his arm. Another man is kneeling with his heart in his hand. Finally, there is the infamously controversial eight-month pregnant woman whose womb is sliced open to show an unborn fetus. Edgy, yes. Unethical, not quite. To some, these exhibits sound grotesque; however, they do offer a certain educational experience that you won’t find elsewhere.

Dr. von Hagens believes that his exhibits give people a new respect for the human body. They are not only pieces of art, they are intricate studies of the anatomy. Each exhibit is intended to make a point–the relationship between muscles and the skeleton, how organs are packed together, etc. These exhibits offer insight into the human body and how it functions. They are not just art, but science and art combined to create something magnificent.

As opposed to “demoralizing” the human body, Dr. von Hagens states that “health and disease are an integral part of the exhibition.” The Chicago Tribune claims that he uses these displays to show diseased and healthy organs alongside each other in hopes that people will learn to respect their bodies instead of abuse them. One exhibit showed a comparison between a healthy and diseased lung due to the effects of smoking. Interestingly, hundreds of cigarettes have been placed beside the exhibit. An assumption would be that the people who left them were so affected by the display that they took a vow to stop smoking.

The Body Worlds exhibits offer an ingenious look at human anatomy. We as a society need to know how our bodies function-we are too destructive, and these exhibits may be enough to encourage us to treat ourselves better. Too often society tries to hold back science, but in this instance, it causes no harm, it just educates us. Like a movie or TV show, if this exhibit is too gruesome for you, don’t view it. But for the rest of us that want to learn about the body, let us.