An Unbalanced Mind

[x_h00ine]

ETA: Entry unlocked in the unlikely event that non-LJ folks might be interested in reading my impressions of the exhibit.

Having bid a fond farewell to drbunnyface and capeman this afternoon, I collapsed for what turned into a relatively long nap. It's been a lovely, sleep-deprived, overindulgent weekend and I will be shamed to give my wellness update for the week

Comments

[keswindhover]

I saw this exhibition in London. I admit the pregnant woman and the foetuses made me uncomfortable, and the posed tableaus like the chess players made me feel in some way as though Hagen was 'playing' with corpses, which feels disrespectful, in a way that dissection and plastination itself doesn't. I'm not saying that's logical, but it struck me that way.

But the most of the exhibits I think increased my feeling that human beings are something wonderful, rather than reduced us to lumps of meat. I love your description of a 'gallery of awe' - that's exactly what I felt walking around. The sheer mind blowing complexity of what goes on under our skins is utterly amazing, and beautiful.

[x_h00ine]

I saw this exhibition in London. I admit the pregnant woman and the foetuses made me uncomfortable, and the posed tableaus like the chess players made me feel in some way as though Hagen was 'playing' with corpses, which feels disrespectful, in a way that dissection and plastination itself doesn't. I'm not saying that's logical, but it struck me that way.I can absolutely understand the exhibit being unnerving, and of course visceral responses don't have to be logical. Although I think the fact that it caused you to think about your own "lines" between respectful and disrespectful treatment and justified and unjustified uses of human remains argues for the fact that he's achieved somethign complex. The fact of the matter is, your reaction is introspective and the result of actually taking in the exhibit. So many of the reactions I've seen show no thought at all, taking the attitude that von Hagen and the exhibit aren't worthy at all of consideration, because he is "just" trying to do a, b, or c. They tend to have a serious book-burning

[marcee12]

Kes - Had you ever seen anything like it before? Dissection, etc? It sounds terribly interesting to me and my brain would love to see it, but I'm certain my stomach would object. I know Chrispee was trained in this kind of stuff, but as far as I know - you weren't. Was it scary/shocking/disgusting to you?

[keswindhover]

No, I didn't find it disgusting, and it didn't upset my stomach.

I think the figures who are recognisable people, with intact faces, or tattoos on their arm or whatever, are disturbing on one level.

And the pregnant woman worried me because I felt concern about her as an individual - what disease did she have that she knew would kill her in mid-pregnancy? (Thus enabling her to give her consent.) And given that she knew she was dying, and her child with her - why was she willing for her unborn child to be plastinated in her womb and displayed to the world?

I would still say see the exhibition if you have a chance - it will really make you think about what's under your skin, and how utterly amazing it is.

[keswindhover]

p.s. forgot to say, I think visceral stuff is only really stomach churning if it smells - and these corpses don't!