Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Creator of Body Worlds visits the Museum of Nature and Science
Email
|
Print
|
Tell us your story
|
Comments (3)
|
“Beauty is not only skin deep, we are beautiful throughout,” says Dr. Gunther von Hagens, creator of Body Worlds. He appeared for a press conference at the Museum of Nature and Science for a Q and A with the media after he was unable to attend the exhibit’s opening last December. Dr. von Hagens does not come across as “weird” in any way, as many might think. After all, he does work with dead bodies for a living. He is, however, easy going, cheery, and obviously proud of what he has accomplished. It seems as if there is nothing he loves more than educating the public about his exhibits, the process of plastination and, of course, anatomy itself.
Here are a few things I learned since the last visit to Body Worlds:
-The plastination process takes about one year for a whole body. If they try to shorten the process, “shrinkage” becomes a factor.
-Dr. von Hagens intended on displaying malformed fetuses with the normal fetuses to promote awareness to women and hopefully encourage women to take care of themselves while pregnant. Unfortunately we live in conservative Texas and Dr. von Hagens was not allowed to display them. Dr. von Hagens also does not generally dissect the fetuses because they are too feeble and small to be educational once dissected.
-There is some controversy that surrounds the exhibit, as one might imagine. The three most common sources of this controversy stems from other anatomists, individuals that are offended religiously, and politicians. The latter has not been an issue in the U.S. Dr. von Hagens said he would be worried if there was no controversy, but he likes that it promotes discussion of life and death.
-Dr. von Hagens is currently working on an elephant and a giraffe for future exhibitions. Cool, huh?
Body Worlds is on display until May, 28. The Museum of Nature and Science has extended the Sunday hours to accommodate the crowds, however they suggest viewing the exhibit during the week if possible. Reserve your tickets here, ahead of time.
“When you embrace death, you better understand life.” -Dr. Gunther von Hagens, creator of Body Worlds.
Related stories
- The 2007 Dallas-Fort Worth arts in review (Dec. 26, 2007)
See more stories in:
Find...
Latest Outbursts
- Today, the first ever **Restaurant Rivalries: Paint Ball Wars** was held at GatSplat in Lewisville. Local favorite restaurant staff, food & beverage supplier...
- If you aren't willing to give your land away for free, the Irving City Council thinks you're a big meanie and will whine about you in the press.
- Romanian Festival in Colleyville
- Jack Ruby's hat sold for $53,775
Today
The Wonderful Sounds of Music With the Von Trapp Children Bass Performance Hall will be alive with The Sound of Music! The actual great-grandchildren of Maria and Captain von Trapp give their last performance today. More info
Latest comments
- OEsophagus on Ethics of Food panel stirs it up on Friday at Dallas Institute of Humanities: It looks like the Dallas Institute of Humanities is housed in a bomb shelter....
- Vincent on Farmers market at Firewheel Town Center in Garland has promising opening day: Great article, Teresa! Also, let me take this opportunity to thank the vendors who attended this fir...
- Jason Rice on Nana's Kountry Kitchen in Grapevine is proud of its chicken-fried steak: So that new keyboard is working out for you....
- jdn9464 on Romanian Festival: too expensive and admission is charged. I have no problem with fundraisers but come on. I felt like ...
Latest reviews
- Billusa99 on Pappas Bros. Steak House: Agent 99 and I had dinner here last week for our anniversary and it was stellar! The somm. we had re...
- Colby Walton on El Taco H (Grapevine): Tried this Grapevine strip center taqueria for the first time tonight, after seeing it mentioned in ...
- lindabear1 on Banana Leaf Thai Cuisine: We live in Garland and this is “way up there”, but we had a coupon! Now we will go back again becaus...
Things you can't miss
Latest stories
- Ethics of Food panel stirs it up on Friday at Dallas Institute of Humanities
- Farmers market at Firewheel Town Center in Garland has promising opening day
- Tickets go on sale November 21 for John Mayer's March 9 Battle Studies concert
- Minnesota Wild 3, Dallas Stars 2
- Experience the Amazon without those pesky mosquitoes

Comments
Laura Evans Staff
I tried to go a few weeks ago and the show sold out right when I got in the line! So I would definitely recommend buying tickets in advance.
2 years, 9 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
David Gouldin Verified
If he wasn't aloud to display malformed fetuses, was he perhaps silently to display them?
2 years, 9 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Laura Seewoester Verified
Thanks for bringing that to my attention!
2 years, 9 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Post a comment