Human Body exhibit at Witte Museum (Vega: living, store, design)

[Cupcake29]

I saw Body Worlds 3 in Boston and it was fascinating. I told many friends to take their children - of all ages. It is a fantastic anatomy lesson that your children will absorb, much more than they would if they were looking at a book. But the exhibit was crowded, and pricey ($25!) The crowds may make some of the exhibits difficult for children to see, and many things in glass cases are best observed from an overhead view. Most of the crowds were around the joint/orthopedic "cases" (exhibiting copious use of a meat slicer). There was an exhibit of healthy vs diseased lungs, driving home the message of non-smoking. The exhibits were not just of human body parts, there was a horse, and a bactrian camel (hairy) with colt (huge!) and the vasculature of a lamb, which looked like a Christmas ornament. The strangest parts were nearing the end of the exhibit - the "drawer man" where rectangular chunks were cut through the body and pushed through the front and back in a staggered fashion; a soccer player, two ice skaters, a ballerina and a tennis player. The planning process certainly involved a few cocktails.
If you are concerned about the foetus, it is easily avoided, but not incredibly memorable. It comes up after the sports figures and is not in the direct path.
While most of the full bodies are nude (there are plasticized penises that may make some kids laugh - and parents embarassed) I don't think the exhibit is likely to scare children. You may end up sparking their interest in medicine.

Re the Chinese prisoner issue: it was quite clear that the specimens were SE Asian: they were shockingly tiny people with most of the men under 5'3". Prisoners? Who knows. You can donate yourself for plastination although you may not end up on tour. They sell teaching specimens to academic institutions.
see Bodymobil :: Körperspende zur Plastination for a description of the process.

[cefielder]

I went today, I found these boards and thought I'd post...
The exhibit was a little creepy. I thought it was not treated with the right dignity. I hate these people who bring their kids in and their laughing, running around and talking. In the neonatal area....complete idiots were viewing in every-which-way instead of entering and seeing each one and going out in that same direction. They also let way too many people into the exhibit at one time. It was annoying and I ended up walking out mad.

[luckygreeniii]

That is too bad. People certainly don't use common sense and I have noticed a lack of respect from when I was little. I am still planning on going to see the exhibit but I am going to skip this week and try to wait until it calms down a little.

Channel 12 had an address to submit comments to. If you go to their web site, they probably have the info.

Thanks for the feedback on your experience.

[wildmaven]

I saw this exhibit when it was in Las Vegas recently and, as a medical professional, I found it really fascinating. As an artist, I found the vein/artery exhibit to be my favorite part. They have removed everything except the veins/arteries, and the resulting anatomy makes it look like coral.

They did have one section with fetuses in various stages of development, but there was a sign before you enter urging the squeemish to take a detour through another door to avoid seeing it.

I think each parent should know how mature their children are, and will have to judge each child separately in regards to their ability to handle this kind of exhibit.

[soccermom2]

Just got back from the Witte to tour the Human Body Exhibit. While the exhibit itself was an amazing experience the surroundings made it very frustrating to truly enjoy & absorb everything it had to offer.

It took us an hour to go thru so imagine the number of crying infants, restless toddlers and inconsiderate teenagers. I have a 14 year old son who remained very respectful thur the entire tour. Yes, he turned a little red seeing such intimate details of the human body with his parents next to him and was very concerned and saddened at the prenatal tour.

After the tour I did speak to the employee behind the main desk and voiced my opinion about the age group. I know it is a touchy subject and a parent can decide what their children are allowed to see. Just my 2 cents about the subject

[staram]

In response to Latinocowboy:

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING THAT POINT!!! I am a mother of an 11 year old that went to see the exhibit on Sunday. She was facinated as well as surprised to see what "we have inside". She also said there were examples of healthy as well as contaminated lungs and kidneys to demonstrate what the effects of alcohol and smoking do to our organs. As a fifth grade teacher of children that are surrounded by so many unhealthy influences in their homes and community (gangs, drugs, violence, disrespect and disregard) I think that this is an excellent educational opportunity for young people. Why is it that this is viewed so controversially,however many have no problems of sitting their elementary age children in front of violent and aggressive video games??

[soccermom2]

staram,

I totally agree about the healthy organs! If that doesn't make a smoker want to quite smoking than I don't know what will. My 14 year old was amazed at seeing the lung of a smoker. He made a comment that some of his classmates should see this as many of them smoke.

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by cefielder

I went today, I found these boards and thought I'd post...
The exhibit was a little creepy. I thought it was not treated with the right dignity. I hate these people who bring their kids in and their laughing, running around and talking. In the neonatal area....complete idiots were viewing in every-which-way instead of entering and seeing each one and going out in that same direction. They also let way too many people into the exhibit at one time. It was annoying and I ended up walking out mad.

I haven't been yet and am anxious to go (sometime when it's NOT Spring Break), but honestly I have the same problem visiting the Alamo. I love the Alamo, but consider it a 'graveyard' of sorts AND a church and get very frustrated that people don't treat it with respect when inside. It's so noisy and obnoxious.

[chipsndip]

I *hope* it's just the spring break affect - when we went it was very reverent and respectful. It would make quite a difference if the crowd was being immature...

[ash2468]

Originally Posted by Lindsey_Mcfarren

Am I the only one who saw the 20/20 episode the other day that showed that these exhibits are using bodies of Chinese prisoners who were put to death as a part of their incarceration?

I am taking nursing and found it pretty graphic. These shows are in the process of coming under fire for using dubious sources for their bodies.

My daughter is 10 years old and its not something I would take her to see.

abc11.com: Inventor of `Body Worlds' exhibit says he's stopped using bodies from China 2/16/08 (http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/entertainment&id=5961896 - broken link)

They showed one body of a woman who died while she was pregnant, it showed part of her uterus cut away to show the fetus.

I'm not a religious person, I consider myself atheist and even I think a persons dead body deserves more respect then to be put on show like that.

Is it true about the pregnant lady and her uterus being cut away to show the fetus?