The Körperwelten/Body Worlds Exhibit
Ethics
Ambiguity in addressing consent (see [Premiere Exhibition] Bodies: The Exhibition ABC's 20/20) has been on critique about the exhibit along with other concerns (Walter 2004). Another: the representation of women and children, race, and perpetuating gender stereotypes (Sturken and Cartwright 2009: 355).
Conclusion
Fascination beneath the surface von Hagens pushes the boundaries and categories in terms of public display by transforming actual dead bodies, preserving them. His childhood experiences guided his interests and shaped his character - defiant and daring; this extends to his work and success of Body Worlds. His plastination technique preserves the body unlike cremation or burial. The characteristics of plastinated bodies become aestheticized objects in the museum context. Generating fascination, disgust etc. it is not the technique of plastination that disturbs viewers, but some aspects of display such as poses or insertions of personhood (eg. fingernails, lipstick, hair) (Walter 2004). Although von Hagens’ Plastination Institute works on donor relationship and for scientific, educational purposes it appears the technique is accepted as a form of disposal (Walter 2004)- it is reasonable that viewer and makers engage in active looking.
References cited
Barilan, M.
2005. The story of the body and the story of the person: Towards an ethics of representing
human bodies and body-parts. Journal Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy, v.8(2): 193-205.
Linke, U.
2005. Touching the corpse: The unmaking of memory in the body museum.
Anthropology Today, v.21(5): 13-19.
Sturken, M. And L. Cartwright
2009. Practices of Looking: An Introduction to Visual Culture. Cartwright: Oxford UP.
Walter, T.
2004. PLASTINATION FOR DISPLAY: A NEW WAY TO DISPOSE OF THE DEAD.
The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, v.10(3): 603-627.
Websites
Body Worlds (2006-2007). Retrieved March 14, 2009, from Body Worlds
Website: http://www.bodyworlds.com
Body Worlds Bizarre Real Human Specimen Exhibit by Deborah (2008). Retrieved March 14,2009, from Life in the fast lane
Website: http://www.lifeinthefastlane.ca/body-worlds-bizarre-real-human-specimen-exhibit/weird-science
Bodies: The Exhibition ABC's 20/20 (Part 2). Retrieved March 14,2009, from youtube
Website: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RIYJeN_mIc
.
Ambiguity in addressing consent (see [Premiere Exhibition] Bodies: The Exhibition ABC's 20/20) has been on critique about the exhibit along with other concerns (Walter 2004). Another: the representation of women and children, race, and perpetuating gender stereotypes (Sturken and Cartwright 2009: 355).
Conclusion
Fascination beneath the surface von Hagens pushes the boundaries and categories in terms of public display by transforming actual dead bodies, preserving them. His childhood experiences guided his interests and shaped his character - defiant and daring; this extends to his work and success of Body Worlds. His plastination technique preserves the body unlike cremation or burial. The characteristics of plastinated bodies become aestheticized objects in the museum context. Generating fascination, disgust etc. it is not the technique of plastination that disturbs viewers, but some aspects of display such as poses or insertions of personhood (eg. fingernails, lipstick, hair) (Walter 2004). Although von Hagens’ Plastination Institute works on donor relationship and for scientific, educational purposes it appears the technique is accepted as a form of disposal (Walter 2004)- it is reasonable that viewer and makers engage in active looking.
References cited
Barilan, M.
2005. The story of the body and the story of the person: Towards an ethics of representing
human bodies and body-parts. Journal Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy, v.8(2): 193-205.
Linke, U.
2005. Touching the corpse: The unmaking of memory in the body museum.
Anthropology Today, v.21(5): 13-19.
Sturken, M. And L. Cartwright
2009. Practices of Looking: An Introduction to Visual Culture. Cartwright: Oxford UP.
Walter, T.
2004. PLASTINATION FOR DISPLAY: A NEW WAY TO DISPOSE OF THE DEAD.
The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, v.10(3): 603-627.
Websites
Body Worlds (2006-2007). Retrieved March 14, 2009, from Body Worlds
Website: http://www.bodyworlds.com
Body Worlds Bizarre Real Human Specimen Exhibit by Deborah (2008). Retrieved March 14,2009, from Life in the fast lane
Website: http://www.lifeinthefastlane.ca/body-worlds-bizarre-real-human-specimen-exhibit/weird-science
Bodies: The Exhibition ABC's 20/20 (Part 2). Retrieved March 14,2009, from youtube
Website: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RIYJeN_mIc
.