Untitled - Body Worlds

Press kit
BODY WORLDS: The Happiness Project
Damrak 66 - tussen Amsterdam Centraal Station en de Dam
1012 LM Amsterdam
T. 0900 - 8411
(45 cpm)
W. www.bodyworlds.nl
E. [email protected]
Perscontact
Annabelle Conijn
Suzanne Penne
T. +31(0)20 5300 919 / +31(0)6 52 46 17 51
T. +31(0)20 5300 938 / +31(0)6 15 24 99 07
E. [email protected]
E. [email protected]
Please send proof copies of publications to:
BODY WORLDS Press Office
Damrak 20
1012 LH Amsterdam
The Netherlands
After visiting BODY WORLDS: The Happiness Project, please send a copy of your film or photographs in
high-quality via WeTransfer to [email protected].
BODY WORLDS: The Happiness Project image gallery:www.flickr.com/photos/bodyworldsnl
In the image gallery you’ll find a selection of high resolution images of the BODY WORLDS: The Happiness
Project exhibition. Just open the photo you wish to download, click on the down-arrow on the bottom righthand side of the image and select the size you want to download. All images are royalty-free when you cite
the right credits with the photo. You can find them under each photo.
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BODY WORLDS Image Gallery: www.bodyworlds.com/en/media/picture_database.html
In the Body Worlds image gallery , you’ll find a selection of high resolution images available for download.
Simply select the image you would like to use and click download. Next, you’ll be taken to a user agreement
that you’ll need to fill out in order to complete your download, after which your images will be ready for
download. Note: the following credits must be provided with each image:
© Gunther von Hagens, Institute for Plastination, Heidelberg, Germany, www.bodyworlds.com
Content
1. Press Release:
- BODY WORLDS: The Happiness Project on from January
5
Happiness and anatomy in the heart of Amsterdam
2. BODY WORLDS designer, Dr. Angelina Whalley, interprets HAPPINESS
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in new Amsterdam exhibition
3. Science Insights for a happy healthy you
8
4. Facts & Figures
9
5. Body Donation for Plastination
10
6. A Joint Quest Towards Enlightenment Between Donor, Anatomist and Visitor
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7. Frequently Asked Questions
13
8. New Developments in Plastination
18
9. Plastination Technique
22
10. The History of Plastination from Notion to Invention
23
11. Dr. Gunther von Hagens: A Life in Science
25
12. Dr. Angelina Whalley Adds Art to Science and Anatomy
28
3
13. Dr. Angelina Whalley – Biography
30
14. Summary of Ethical Review,
31
California Science Center, Los Angeles, USA
15. Visitors’ Reactions to BODY WORLDS
33
16. Visitor information
39
Press Release
BODY WORLDS: The Happiness Project on from January
Happiness and anatomy in the heart of Amsterdam
Amsterdam, 12 December 2013 – The opening of new, interactive exhibition BODY WORLDS: The
Happiness Project marks an entirely new chapter in the already impressive range of BODY WORLDS
exhibitions. A permanent exhibition exploring what happiness is and the science behind it, The
Happiness Project opens on January 16th 2014 right in the heart of the city, at Damrak 66.
The exhibition tells the story of our bodies and the influence that the emotional phenomenon of ‘happiness’
has on our health. Over 200 anatomical specimens of real human bodies reveal the complexity, resilience
and vulnerability of the body. Visitors learn for example that people who are happy, live longer than people
who are unhappy. That is good news in a country whose population has been one of the happiest in the
world. Recent study by the World Health Organization (WHO) even shows that Dutch youth is the happiest in
the western world.
BODY WORLDS’ creator, Dr Gunther von Hagens, explains the idea behind the exhibition by saying:
‘Happiness is an elusive feeling that many are searching for. The fact that there is a direct link between
happiness, health and well-being has been proven by major medical studies. In BODY WORLDS: The
Happiness Project, these fundamental principles of happiness are examined through the lens of anatomy.’
This exhibit is the creative vision of Angelina Whalley, creative and conceptual designer for all BODY
WORLDS exhibitions, she goes on to add: ‘People tend to view happiness as a state of being; a state you
are either in or not in. In fact, each one of us has a natural happiness baseline, a ‘starting point’ that is
determined by our genes. It’s a point we always return to after encountering negative events and
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experiences. But, we do have the ability to improve this innate level of happiness; this exhibition presents
that dimension of happiness and reveals how to attain it. The specimens in the exhibition are donors who
gave their legal consent during their lifetimes to participate in BODY WORLDS. They act as guides and
teachers on this journey into the self and the quest for happiness.’
BODY WORLDS
BODY WORLDS exhibitions (also known by its German name KÖRPERWELTEN) are based on an
established body donation program through which the body donors specifically request that their bodies
could be used in a public exhibition after their deaths. After the success of the travelling BODY WORLDS
exhibitions in Rotterdam (2010/2011) and Amsterdam (2012), Dr Gunther von Hagens has decided to open a
permanent exhibition in the centre of Amsterdam. Von Hagens’ exhibitions exploring the human body have
already attracted almost 40 million visitors worldwide.
Teaching faculty always admitted free
The primary aim of this exhibition is to raise public awareness of the importance of health. That’s why all
teachers, lecturers/professors and teaching assistants are always admitted free. Teaching faculty members
can request a teacher pass (docentenpas) via the website, where a variety of free teaching materials are
also available.
Press Opening
Press opening of BODY WORLDS: The Happiness Project will take place on Wednesday January 15th at
10:30 am. Press has the first opportunity to visit the permanent exhibition on the Damrak 66. An official
invitation, including program and press kit, will follow soon. For more information, please contact us.
Details
BODY WORLDS: The Happiness Project is open daily. Opening hours are from 9 am to 8 pm from Sunday
to Friday and from 9 am to 10 pm on Saturday (last admission up to one hour before closing time).
BODY WORLDS: The Happiness Project
Damrak 66
1012 LM Amsterdam
Phone: 0900-8411 (45cpm)
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bodyworlds.nl
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2
BODY WORLDS designer, Dr. Angelina Whalley, interprets HAPPINESS in
new Amsterdam exhibit
Physician, Dr. Angelina Whalley, creative designer of the BODY WORLDS exhibitions that have been seen
by nearly 40 million visitors worldwide, has added the art and science of happiness to her design portfolio.
Dr. Whalley, who has been responsible for the content in the exhibitions since their inception, will be in
Amsterdam for the launch of BODY WORLDS: The Happiness Project opening on January 16, 2014 at
Damrak 66.
Whalley, a physician by training with early dreams of being a surgeon, fell into exhibition design after a stint
in pathology. “I had an analytical, critical mind. Seeing and recognizing are not often reconciled and I found
this twin asset useful in microscopy and diagnosis,” she said. But her fortuitous meeting with anatomist, Dr.
Gunther von Hagens—her collaborator in science and spouse for nearly three decades—opened up a new
career path. “I discovered I had skills to make highly complex medical information more easily
understandable for lay people.”
Whalley has been an avid reader of happiness research for more than a decade. “When discussing
happiness, many define it as a butterfly that is beyond our grasp, but more and more research is showing
that we can catch it,” she said. “I have used multimedia – graphics, interactives, text, video, and audio – to
narrate the latest research on happiness science and show the effects of emotional health on the body,” she
said.
Asked to summarize her explorations in happiness research, she said, “Our happiness depends on genes,
circumstances, and action. About 50% of our happiness, according to social scientists, depends on our
genetic makeup. Each person is born with the potential for happiness in our genes. The happiness marker or
‘set point’ -- the natural level of happiness to which each person returns even after failures and triumphs -varies from person to person. Of the remainder, 10% of our happiness can result from our circumstances in
life, such as financial, physical, social, and marital conditions and realities. But the rest is within our control. A
stunning 40% of our happiness can be achieved through our own actions.”
In The Happiness Project, Dr. Whalley educates, informs, and inspires exhibition visitors about aspects of
happiness, interpreting the latest research by economists and social scientists on happiness determinants
and factors, and medical findings about the impact of happiness on the body and mind. “Our happiness
affects our health both in the physical body and on the mental plane. I have curated the exhibition to appeal
to visitors on many levels, as a learning opportunity as well as an emotional experience, viewed through the
lens of anatomy,” said Dr. Whalley.
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3.
Science Insights for a happy healthy you
There are things we can do every day to improve our happiness, health, and well-being. Here is a curation of
scientific findings on the link between habits and happiness, and what we can do. More can be found by
visiting BODY WORLDS: The Happiness Project.
Be A Happiness Magnet
Human connection is vital to happiness. Cultivate and maintain family relationships, close friendships, and
other connections.
Move Your Body
Sitting all day can lead to a host of diseases. Taking your body outside will boost your happiness and
improve your health.
Just Breathe
Take 15 minutes a day to pay attention to the living, breathing you.
Be part of something bigger than yourself
Spiritual and other communities can be a source of support, solidarity, and strength.
Go Outside
Nature nurtures. Sunlight, fresh air, and nature is a tonic for the mind and body.
Give Instead of Spend
Giving to a good cause will make you happier than aimless shopping.
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4.
Facts and Figures

Plastination was invented by Dr. Gunther von Hagens in 1977 at the University of Heidelberg,
Germany and has continuously been developed it since then.

Plastination is a technique that stops the decomposition of the dead body and produces solid,
odourless and durable anatomical specimens for scientific and medical training.

The production of a human whole body plastinate requires approximately 1,500 working hours.

The world’s tallest plastinate is an adult elephant, measuring 6 x 3,50 metres.

The BODY WORLDS exhibitions were created by Dr. Gunther von Hagens.

The ultimate goal of BODY WORLDS is health education.

Dr. Angelina Whalley is the curator of the exhibitions.

The first exhibition was held in Japan in 1995.

Since then BODY WORLDS has been touring worldwide and visited over 90 cities in Europe,
America, Africa and Asia.

Currently there are nine BODY WORLDS exhibitions on display in America and Europe.

Nearly 40 million people have seen BODY WORLDS, over 14 million of which in Europe.

The exhibitions have been improved to contain special features:
- BODY WORLDS The Happiness Project
- BODY WORLDS: Pulse – About You & The Beat of Life
- BODY WORLDS Vital
- BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life
- BODY WORLDS & The Story of the Heart

In spring 2010, Dr. Gunther von Hagens and curator Dr. Angelina Whalley presented the completely
new exhibition BODY WORLDS of Animals which now tours the world under the name ANIMAL
INSIDE OUT. A holistic and sculptural anatomical menagerie, the display features the most revered
species in the animal kingdom.

BODY WORLDS exhibitions are are based on an established body donation program through which
the body donors specifically request that their bodies be used in a public exhibition after their deaths.
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5.
Body Donation for Plastination
All anatomical specimens on display in the BODY WORLDS exhibitions are authentic. They belonged to
people who declared during their lifetime that their body should be made available after their deaths for the
qualification of physicians and the instruction of lay people. Many donors emphasize that by donating their
body, they can be useful to others even after their death. Their selfless donations allow us to gain unique
insights into the human body, which have thus far been reserved for physicians at best. Therefore, we wish
to thank the living and deceased body donors.
The Institute for Plastination in Heidelberg established the unique body donation program in 1982.
Currently, the Institute for Plastination has 13.756 registered body donors (as of Oct. 2013).
Count
Men
Women
Worldwide
13.756
6.196
7.560
Europe
12.320
5.750
6.570
North & South America and Canada
1.411
435
976
Netherlands
61
29
32
Belgium
82
31
51
Germany
11.642
5.447
6.195
Deceased
1.319
768
551
Age distribution (excl. USA): Some Motivations for Body Donation
Age
Count
19% are fascinated by Plastination
< 20
>1%
13% are uncomfortable at the thought of being
21 - 30
4%
cremated or buried
31 - 40
8%
13% do not wish to burden their relatives with tending
41 - 50
17%
to a grave
51 - 60
25%
12% are fascinated by the public exhibitions
> 60
46%
7% want to save burial costs
4% do not have any relatives
The average age of body donors is 63 years.
22% want to serve a good purpose
A brochure published by the Institute for Plastination explains how to become a body donor and provides
information about the process of Plastination, what happens to the dead body at the Institute, and how the
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plastinates are used. By signing the consent form and the body donor ID card, the body donor officially
confirms his decision. However, body donation for Plastination is a declaration of will that can be revoked at
any time.
More information about body donation is available online at http://www.bodydonation-plastination.com or at
the Institute for Plastination, Im Bosseldorn 17, 69126 Heidelberg, Germany. Phone: +49-6221-331150. Fax:
+49-6221-331145. E-mail: [email protected]
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6.
A Joint Quest Towards Enlightenment
Between Donor, Anatomist and Visitor
Gunther von Hagens’ BODY WORLDS is a collaboration - a joint quest towards enlightenment between
donor, anatomist, and visitor. Created by Dr. von Hagens - the leading anatomist of our time - BODY
WORLDS is the only anatomical exhibition fuelled by intellectual curiosity, forged in the heat of scientific
discovery, enabled by the generosity of donors, shaped by the anatomist’s awe of the human body, and
supported by the aspirations of visitors yearning to know more.
Donors who so generously willed their bodies for the purpose of Plastination - to educate the public about
anatomy and physiology - take centre stage in this unprecedented homage to humanity. Excluding a small
number of specimens acquired from anatomical collections and anatomy programs, the plastinated
specimens on display in Gunther von Hagens’ BODY WORLDS exhibitions stem from a unique Body
Donation Program established in Heidelberg, Germany in 1982, and later managed by the Institute for
Plastination (IfP) in Heidelberg, established in 1993. The Institute for Plastination has a donor roster of over
13,000 individuals that includes over 60 Netherlands. The already deceased on the IfP’s donor roster
number 1.319 (October 2013).
Unlike other anatomical exhibitions that use unclaimed and found bodies without the legal consent of the
deceased or their next of kin, BODY WORLDS uses the donated bodies of people who, during their lifetime,
willed their bodies for Plastination and the education of many. From the beginning, the donors were excited
about the groundbreaking technique of Plastination, and recognized that they were going to be part of
something unprecedented. They wanted to make the education of future generations their enduring legacy.
The donors’ participation in this aesthetic, dynamic, and compelling tribute to the human body is facilitated by
anatomist, Dr. Gunther von Hagens: the creator of BODY WORLDS, and the inventor of Plastination, the
groundbreaking method of specimen preservation that he first pioneered for the education of medical
students.
Visitors to BODY WORLDS are also full participants in the scientific quest. Their efforts to fathom the
mysteries of the human body, to honour its splendour and fragility, to claim solidarity with the donors, and
recognize humanity’s joint and inescapable fate are marked by great curiosity, awe, and gratitude.
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7.
BODY WORLDS: Frequently Asked Questions
What is BODY WORLDS?
BODY WORLDS: The Original Exhibition of Real Human Bodies (also known by its German name
KÖRPERWELTEN), is the first exhibition of its kind to inform the visitor about anatomy, physiology, and
health by viewing real human bodies. The specimens on display were preserved through Plastination, the
preservation process invented by Dr. von Hagens in 1977, while he was working as an anatomist at the
University of Heidelberg.
Since the beginning of the exhibition series in Japan in 1995nearly 40 million visitors in over 90 cities in
Europe, America, Africa and Asia have seen the world's most successful special exhibition so far.
What does BODY WORLDS show?
Each BODY WORLDS exhibition contains more than 200 real human specimens, including about 20 fullbody plastinates as well as individual organs, organ configurations, and transparent body slices. The
spectacular plastinates in the exhibition take the visitor on an exciting journey of discovery under the skin. It
provides a comprehensive insight into the anatomy and physiology of the human body. In addition to organ
functions, common diseases are described in an easily understood manner by comparing healthy and
affected organs. They show the long-term impact of diseases and addictions, such as tobacco or alcohol
consumption, and demonstrate the mechanics of artificial knee and hip joints.
How do the various BODY WORLDS exhibitions that are being shown differ from each other?
While all of the BODY WROLDS exhibitions focus on general anatomy revealed through Plastination, each
exhibition is currently being shown with dedicated themes—on cardiology and the heart (BODY WORLDS &
The Story of the Heart), human development, longevity and aging (BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life), the
body´s capability and vitality (BODY WORLDS Vital), the story of the human body in the 21st century (BODY
WORLDS: Pulse) and the influence that ‘happiness’ has on our health (BODY WORLDS: The Happiness
Project). The exhibitions show a multitude of brand new plastinates and offer every visitor—even the ardent
BODY WORLDS visitor—a fascinating exhibition experience.
The exhibition, BODY WORLDS & The Story of the Heart reveals – through the lenses of anatomy,
cardiology, psychology, and culture – how the heart nourishes, regulates, and sustains life.
The heart is the steadfast engine of our life. Due to this continuous strain it is also susceptible to wear and
tear and to dysfunctions. Diseases of the cardiovascular system are the leading cause of death today. The
exhibition also highlights other facets of this vital organ. In religion, art, literature, and pop culture, the heart is
seen as a symbol of love, compassion, happiness, and courage.
The exhibition gives visitors profound insight into the human body, health and disease, and the intricate
world of the cardiovascular system.
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BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life features a special presentation on the human life cycle and ageing –
from prenatal development and infancy, to childhood and adolescence, to youth, adulthood, and old age. It
shows the body living through time – at its most radiant, and as it changes, grows, matures, peaks, and
finally wanes. The exhibition shows the complexity, resilience, and vulnerability of the human body through
anatomical studies of the body in distress, disease, and optimal health. Visitors to The Cycle of Life will
witness the arc of ageing – the body living through the span of time – from the spark of conception to old
age, refracted through the latest findings in longevity and ageing science.
BODY WORLDS VITAL presents a special collection of specimens designed to show visitors the basics for
human health and wellness. The exhibition includes whole-body plastinates, a large arrangement of
individual organs, organ and arterial configurations, and translucent slices that give a complete picture of
how the human body works. Vital tells the fascinating story of how best to fight life-threatening diseases—
such as cancer, diabetes, and heart ailments—through healthy choices and lifestyle changes.
BODY WORLDS: PULSE shows the science and splendor of the human body, and deconstructs its form
and function. It presents the body in health and distress, its vulnerabilities and potential, and many of the
challenges the human body faces as it navigates the 21st Century. BODY WORLDS: PULSE is a
convergence of aesthetic anatomy, the latest findings in health and wellness, immersive multimedia, and
narrative storytelling threaded with deep metaphors. It shows the possibility of living mindfully, with meaning
and vitality, by refracting the story of life and self-actualization, through the donors, who have committed to
educating future generations. All BODY WORLDS exhibitions generlly present different plastinates, which is
most evident in the whole-body plastinates which each vary in pose and display.
BODY WORLDS: The Happiness Project marks an entirely new chapter in the already impressive range of
BODY WORLDS exhibitions. A permanent exhibition exploring what happiness is and the science behind it.
“The Happiness Project” tells the story of our bodies and the influence that the emotional phenomenon of
‘happiness’ has on our health. Over 200 anatomical specimens of real human bodies reveal the complexity,
resilience and vulnerability of the body. Visitors learn for example that people who are happy, live longer than
people who are unhappy. That is good news in a country whose population has been one of the happiest in
the world. Recent study by the World Health Organization (WHO) even shows that Dutch youth is the
happiest in the western world.
All BODY WORLDS exhibitions generlly present different plastinates, which is most evident in the
whole-body plastinates which each vary in pose and display. What is the purpose of the exhibition?
BODY WORLDS aims to educate the public about the inner workings of the human body and show the ef13
fects of poor health, good health, and lifestyle choices. It is also presented in the hopes that it will stimulate
curiosity about the science of anatomy and physiology.
Who should see BODY WORLDS?
Anyone interested in learning what makes us human. Adults of all ages and children will find the exhibits
fascinating. Given the nature of the BODY WORLDS exhibits, it is up to parents, guardians, or school staff to
decide whether BODY WORLDS is appropriate for the children in their care.
Is this exhibition appropriate for children?
Nearly 40 million people, including young children, have viewed the BODY WORLDS exhibitions around the
world. If you're considering bringing children or school groups to BODY WORLDS, visit our online resources
section to find out how to use the exhibition as a learning experience.
Where else has BODY WORLDS been exhibited? Where will they be on display next?
There are seven BODY WORLDS exhibitions, which have been viewed by nearly 40 million people throughout the world. BODY WORLDS exhibitions have been displayed in Europe, America, Africa and Asia.
Additional BODY WORLDS exhibitions are planned. If you would like to know in what cities the exhibitions
will be on display next, please go to our official web site, www.bodyworlds.com, where you will find an
overview of past and future exhibition venues. If you are interested in receiving additional information on
current exhibitions, you may sign up online for the BODY WORLDS newsletter.
Why is it important for the public to see these exhibitions?
The organisers of BODY WORLDS believe that when people understand more about how the body works and
how it can break down, they are more likely to choose healthy and sustainable lifestyles. We also hope it will
inspire visitors to learn more about the life sciences. Knowledge about what the human body looks like and how
it functions is basic life science information that should be available to everyone. During the run of the
exhibition, we will be actively reaching out to educators and medical professionals to ensure that they have the
opportunity to experience the exhibition.
Would I be able to learn just as much from books or models of the human anatomy?
The use of authentic specimens allows a penetrating examination and study of disease, physiology, and
anatomy unmatched by models, textbooks, or photos. In addition, the exhibition allows visitors to understand
that each and every body has its own unique features, even on the inside. The experience in other cities has
clearly demonstrated that exhibit visitors are drawn to real specimens in a way that cannot be replicated by
models.
Are there animals in the BODY WORLDS exhibitions, as well?
Most BODY WORLDS exhibitions have a few animal specimens on display. Due to the great popularity of the
animal plastinates, Dr. Gunther von Hagens and Dr. Angelina Whalley were encouraged to create the new
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exhibition BODY WORLDS of Animals which now tours the world under the name ANIMAL INSIDE OUT. The
display features the most popular species in the animal kingdom. Better than any textbook, this fascinating
exhibition shows the complex, amazing biology of the natural world’s most remarkable creatures and their
nervous system, bones, muscles, and organs. ANIMAL INSIDE OUT also allows a peek under the elephant’s
skin. Its trunk with a network of 40,000 muscles is an incredibly unique feature that has many different uses.
And who would have known that a giraffe uses its 20-inch-long bluish tongue like a hand? ANIMAL INSIDE
OUT’s educational approach is particularly suitable for young visitors. For more information:
www.AnimalInsideOut.com.
What is Plastination?
Plastination is a unique process invented by Dr. Gunther von Hagens in 1977 to preserve specimens for
medical education. The process replaces bodily fluids and soluble fat in specimens with fluid plastics that
harden after vacuum-forced impregnation. After the bodies are fixed into lifelike poses, they are hardened
with gas, heat, or light. The plastinates show how our bodies respond internally to movements in everyday
life, as well as during athletic activities. For more information about Plastination, go to www.bodyworlds.com.
Where did the specimens on display come from? Will we know who the plastinates are or how they
died?
The BODY WORLDS exhibitions rely on the generosity of body donors; individuals who bequeathed that,
upon their death, their bodies could be used for educational purposes in the exhibition. All the whole-body
plastinates and the majority of the specimens are from these body donors; only some organs, fetuses and
specific specimens that show unusual conditions come from old anatomical collections and morphological
institutesAs agreed upon by the body donors, their identities and causes of death are not disclosed. The
exhibition focuses on the nature of our bodies, not on providing personal information.
BODY WORLDS exhibitions are based on an established body donation program through which the body
donors specifically request that their bodies could be used in a public exhibition after their deaths.
Why are the plastinates posed the way they are?
The poses of the plastinates have been carefully thought out and serve educational aims. Each plastinate is
posed to illustrate different anatomical features. For instance, the athletic poses illustrate the use of muscle
systems while playing sports. The poses are chosen to highlight specific anatomical features and allow the
visitor to relate the plastinate to his or her own body.
Have the ethical questions concerning this exhibition been addressed?
Before the North American premiere of BODY WORLDS, a distinguished committee of theologians, ethicists,
academics, and medical luminaries conducted an independent ethics review The Ethics Review of the
origins of bodies in BODY WORLDS -- conducted by the California Science Center, Los Angeles -- is
available for download on our website.
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What educational materials are provided?
Teachers will wish to prepare both their students and their adult supervisors carefully for their BODY
WORLDS experience. Educator materials are available upon request and on our website.
Educator materials are available upon request and for download on the website, www.bodyworlds.nl. BODY
WORLDS offers preview opportunities so that teachers can see the exhibition free of charge before bringing
their classes to it.
Is there an audio tour?
Audio guides are offered for an additional fee. The audio tours are designed for the layman. They are
available in Dutch, English and German versions. Personally guided tours through the exhibit are unavailable
at this time.
How long can you stay inside the exhibits?
You can stay as long as you like, within the opening hours. We recommend allowing yourself about one to
two hours. The length of time will vary on how long each visitor wishes to examine each specimen and read
the information provided. An audio tour will increase your time in the exhibits. Reentry to the exhibition is not
allowed, once you exit.
Can you take photographs or film in the exhibitions?
Photography and filming, including pictures taken with cell phones, are not allowed in the BODY WORLDS
exhibitions, except by accredited members of the media.
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8.
New Developments in Plastination
Gunther von Hagens works tirelessly to refine his invention of plastination. In recent years, he has made
unique progress and achieved new heights in the following four areas of plastination:
(1) expression of the plastinates, (2) colouration of body slices, (3) durable vessel configurations, and (4)
large animal plastinates.
(1) Expression of the Plastinates
When we noticed that visitors identify
themselves with the posed specimens in the
exhibition, which increases the health promoting
effect, we decided to refine the expressiveness
of individual plastinates, giving each of them a
special aura.
The Wave Roller.
(2) Colouration of Body Slices
Since 2008, we have succeeded in colouring plastinated body slices on demand. The colourations, for which
the body slices frozen at –70°C will be thawed out temporarily, allow for a hitherto unseen distinction
between the various body tissues such as tight connective tissue and musculature or skin and subcutaneous
tissue. The images of plastinated body slices of the urogenital tract (prostate, seminal vesicles) and the
thorax demonstrate this clearly.
Coloured slice plastinates: Cauda equina and anterior hip muscles, Prostate with pelvic floor musculature
Rotator cuff
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(3) Durable Vessel Configurations
Thanks to innovative developments of synthetics, mechanically robust
vessel configurations can be manufactured, i.e. synthetic casts of vessel
systems. They are also called “corrosion specimens”, because in the
process of production, surrounding soft tissues are usually corroded
away with leaches or acids. However, we use enzyme solutions for this
process. This enables us to operate with highly resilient synthetic
formulas, which previously could not be used due to their sensitivity
toward aggressive acids or leaches. Specific polyurethane formulas
prove to be especially suitable. With these, we have for the first time
successfully developed hollow vessel configurations, which due to their
light weight, high flexibility and mechanical resilience are far superior to
previous vessel configurations that were mainly produced with fluid
Configuration of a human heart.
acrylic glass.
(4) Large Animal Plastinates
We have incorporated more and larger animal plastinates
to our exhibitions, because visitors are fascinated
by the size and novelty. Since the “Rearing Horse with Rider”
gorilla “Artis” gained status as the most popular plastinates, we have added
and the lowland
a camel, an ostrich,
and a giraffe.
In 2010, Dr. Gunther von Hagens and curator Dr. Angelina Whalley have
created a
new exhibition of superlatives:
BODY WORLDS of Animals, internationally known
as ANIMAL INSIDE OUT, including “Samba”
and “Chiana” - the world’s first elephant plastinates.
Large animal plastinates allow the visitor to study
human and animal anatomy comparatively and
give them an insight into hitherto unseen bodily
interiors of certain animal species. Independent
surveys and visitor comments indicate that the
opportunity to compare human and animal anatomy
offered in the exhibitions leads to a higher appreciation of
endangered species and a better understanding of the
concerns of animal protection groups.
Plastinated giraffe and plastinated ostrich:
18
The Method of Plastination
Plastination is a relatively simple process designed to preserve the body for educational and instructional
purposes. Plastination, like many revolutionary inventions, is simple in concept:
1. Embalming and Anatomical Dissection
The first step of the process involves halting decay by pumping formalin
into the body through the arteries. Formalin kills all bacteria and
chemically stops the decay of tissue. Using dissection tools, the skin,
fatty and connective tissues are removed in order to prepare the
individual anatomical structures.
The Plastination process itself is based on two
exchange processes.
2. Removal of Body Fat and Water
In the first step, the body water and soluble fats are
the body by placing it into a solvent bath (e.g., an
dissolved from
acetone bath).
3. Forced Impregnation
This second exchange process is the central step
in Plastination. During forced impregnation a
reactive polymer, e.g., silicone rubber, replaces the
acetone. To achieve this, the specimen is
immersed in a polymer solution and placed in
vacuum chamber. The vacuum removes the
acetone from the specimen and helps the polymer
to penetrate every last cell.
4. Positioning
After vacuum impregnation, the body is positioned as desired. Every single anatomical structure is properly
aligned and fixed with the help of wires, needles, clamps, and foam blocks.
5. Curing (Hardening)
In the final step, the specimen is hardened. Depending on the polymer used, this is done with gas, light, or
heat. Dissection and Plastination of an entire body requires about 1,500 working hours and normally takes
about one year to complete.
19
9.
Plastination Technique
20
21
10.
The History of Plastination from Notion to Invention
In July 1977, while working as a scientist and research assistant at the University of Heidelberg’s Institute of
Pathology and Anatomy, Dr. Gunther von Hagens had an outrageous notion. “I was looking at a collection of
specimens embedded in plastic. It was the most advanced preservation technique then, where the
specimens rested deep inside a transparent plastic block. I wondered why the plastic was poured and then
cured around the specimens, rather than pushed into the cells, which would stabilise the specimen from
within and literally allow you to grasp it.”
The notion was an epiphany for Dr. von Hagens, and the genesis of Plastination - his groundbreaking
invention where all bodily fluids and soluble fat from anatomical specimens are extracted to stop
decomposition, and replaced through vacuum-forced impregnation with reactive resins and elastomers, such
as silicon rubber and epoxy that harden with gas, light, or heat curing, giving the specimens rigidity and
permanence.
Weeks later, while preparing serial slices of human kidneys for a research project, another thought occurred
to him as he embedded the kidney slices in liquid acrylic glass, and watched the air bubbles that resulted
from stirring the hardener that had to be extracted under vacuum. “It crossed my mind that it would be
possible to impregnate an acetone soaked renal piece with plastic under vacuum conditions simply by
extracting the acetone in the form of bubbles, just as is done in degassing.” Though many acetone bubbles
were extracted from the specimen, it shrivelled into a black mass within the hour.
But Dr. von Hagens was undeterred by the result of his maiden voyage into the world of Plastination. His
basic knowledge of physics and chemistry enabled him to conclude that the black colouration stemmed from
the refractive qualities of the plexiglass, and that the shrinkage was due to the accelerated speed of the
impregnation process. This realisation prompted him to repeat the experiment a week later using liquid
silicone rubber that had more favourable light refractive properties. He administered the impregnation slowly,
pouring fresh silicon in three separate baths to avoid premature hardening of the silicon and specimen from
exposure to air. After curing the specimen in the open air, Dr. von Hagens held in his hands the world’s first
plastinate.
In March of 1978, Dr. von Hagens filed a patent for his invention with the German Patent Office. However, he
had only scratched the surface of Plastination. The refinement of his invention and the creation of the first
whole body plastinate would take thirteen more years, though he declares even now that his methods are not
yet perfect.
22
During his experiments, Dr. von Hagens sought the counsel of other scientists when he faced obstacles in
his experiments. Dr. Wolfgang Koser, a distinguished polymer scientist, then head of the Reaction Resin
Application Technology Department at BASF AG in Ludwigshafen, Germany, was Dr. von Hagens’ closest
adviser during his initial discovery. “He showed me organs and tissue parts that had been impregnated with
synthetic resins but that did not satisfy his expectations and requirements. Considering the usually poor
knowledge in the field of polymer chemistry to be found in physicians, the specimens were surprisingly well
done,” writes Dr. Koser. He offered von Hagens technical advice on the proper processing of synthetic
resins—how to overcome difficulties related to hardening of resins in a wet environment and inside the fine
blood vessels. Intrigued by the idea of working with ‘an extremely motivated, highly innovative,
unconventional and yet very personable scientist,’ Dr. Koser offered to work with von Hagens in his lab on
the weekends.
Like all pioneering scientific discoveries, Plastination had its fair share of spectacular failures before yielding
success. Klaus Tiedemann, then a professor at the Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the University of
Heidelberg, and a colleague of Dr. von Hagens, bore witness to some of them. He remembers a day at the
lab, when von Hagens tried to operate a vacuum chamber made from stainless steel plates welded together.
“A safety glass about an inch thick served as its cover. When the vacuum had reached about one tenth of
normal atmospheric pressure, the plate glass, which had bent considerably by then, burst with the sound of a
hand grenade and covered us with glass crumbs,” he writes.
Despite many setbacks, Dr. von Hagens persevered with what had become his professional and personal
obsession. In 1981, he filed his patent for “Animal and Vegetal Tissues Permanently Preserved by Synthetic
Resin Impregnation,” with the US Patent Office. In quick succession, Dr. von Hagens published several
academic papers about his invention, and established BIODUR® Products, a business to market the
essential ingredients and formulas for Plastination to 400 medical schools and universities worldwide. He
also founded the Institute for Plastination, and eventually created the BODY WORLDS anatomical exhibits.
With Plastination, Dr. von Hagens has irrevocably changed the traditional field of anatomy and its audience.
“The purpose of Plastination from its very inception was a scientific one, to educate medical students. But the
interest of lay people in the plastinated specimens inspired me think of public exhibitions, which was followed
by the realisation that I had to offer a heightened sense of aesthetics to avoid shocking the public and to
capture their imagination,” says Dr. von Hagens.
23
11.
Dr. Gunther von Hagens: A Life in Science
Gunther von Hagens’ life reads like an archetypal scientist's resume - distinguished by early precocity,
scholarship, discovery, experimentation, and invention. It is also the profile of a man shaped by extraordinary
events, and marked by defiance and daring.
Von Hagens’ two year imprisonment by East German authorities for political reasons, his release after a
EUR 20,000 payment by the West German government, his pioneering invention that halts decomposition of
the body after death and preserves it for didactic eternity, his collaboration with donors including his best
friend, who willed and entrusted their bodies to him for dissection and public display, and his role as a
teacher carrying on the tradition of Renaissance anatomists, make his a remarkable life in science.
Anatomist, inventor of Plastination, and creator of BODY WORLDS - von Hagens (christened Gunther
Gerhard Liebchen) was born in 1945, in Alt-Skalden, Posen, Poland - then part of Germany. To escape the
imminent Russian occupation of their homeland, his parents placed the five-day-old infant in a laundry
basket and began a six-month trek west by horse wagon. The family lived briefly in Berlin and its vicinity,
before finally settling in Greiz, a small town where von Hagens remained until the age of 19.
As a child, he was diagnosed with a rare bleeding disorder that restricted his activities and required long
bouts of hospitalisation that he says, fostered in him a sense of alienation and nonconformity. At age 6, von
Hagens nearly died and was in intensive care for many months. His daily encounters there with doctors and
nurses left an indelible impression on him, and ignited in him a desire to become a physician. He also
showed an interest in science from an early age, reportedly “freaking out” at the age of twelve during the
Russian launch of Sputnik into space. “I was the school authority and archivist on Sputnik,” he said.
In 1965, von Hagens entered medical school at the University of Jena, south of Leipzig, and the birthplace of
writers Schiller and Goethe. His unorthodox methods and flamboyant personality were remarkable enough to
be noted on academic reports from the university. “Gunther Liebchen is a personality who does not approach
tasks systematically. This characteristic and his imaginativeness, that sometimes let him forget about reality,
occasionally led to the development of very wilful and unusual ways of working - but never in a manner that
would have harmed the collective of his seminary group. On the contrary, his ways often encouraged his
fellow students to critically review their own work.”
While at the university, von Hagens began to question Communism and Socialism, and widened his
knowledge of politics by gathering information from Western news sources. He later participated in student
protests against the invasion of Czechoslovakia by Warsaw Pact troops. In January 1969, in the guise of a
vacationing student, von Hagens made his way across Bulgaria and Hungary, and on January 7,
24
attempted to cross the Czechoslovakian border into Austria and freedom. He failed, but made a second
attempt the very next day, at another location along the border. This time the authorities detained him. “While
I was in
detention, a sympathetic guard left a window open for me so that I could escape. I hesitated and couldn't
make up my mind, and that decision cost me a great deal,” he says.
Gunther von Hagens was arrested, extradited to East Germany, and imprisoned for two years. Only 23 years
old at the time, the iconoclastic von Hagens was viewed as a threat to the socialist way of life, and therefore
in need of rehabilitation and citizenship education. According to the prison records for Gunther Liebchen,
“The prisoner is to be trained to develop an appropriate class consciousness so that in his future life, he will
follow the standards and regulations of our society. The prisoner is to be made aware of the dangerousness
of his way of behaving, and in doing so, the prisoner’s conclusions of his future behaviour as a citizen of the
social state need to be established.”
Forty-four years years after his incarceration, Gunther von Hagens finds meaning and even redemption in his
lost years. “The deep friendships I formed there with other prisoners, and the terrible aspects of captivity that
I was forced to overcome through my fantasy life, helped shape my sense of solidarity with others, my
reliance on my own mind and body when denied freedom, and my capacity for endurance. All that I learned
in prison helped me later in my life as a scientist.”
In 1970, after West Germany's purchase of his freedom, von Hagens enrolled at the University of Lubeck to
complete his medical studies. Upon graduation in 1973, he took up residency at a hospital on Heligoland - a
duty free island where the access to cheap liquor resulted in a substantial population of alcoholics.
A year later, after obtaining his medical degree, he joined the Department of Anaesthesiology and
Emergency Medicine at Heidelberg University, where he came to a realisation that his pensive mind was
unsuitable for the tedious routines demanded of him. In June 1975, he married Dr. Cornelia von Hagens, a
former classmate, and adopted her last name. The couple had three children, Rurik, Bera, and Tona.
In 1977, while serving as a resident and lecturer - the start of an eighteen year career at the university's
Institute of Pathology and Anatomy - von Hagens invented Plastination, his groundbreaking technology for
preserving anatomical specimens with the use of reactive polymers. “I was looking at a collection of
specimens embedded in plastic. It was the most advanced preservation technique then, where the
specimens rested deep inside a transparent plastic block. I wondered why the plastic was poured and then
cured around the specimens rather than pushed into the cells, which would stabilise the specimens from
within and literally allow you to grasp it.”
25
He patented the method and over the next six years, von Hagens spent all his energies refining his invention.
In Plastination, the first step is to halt decomposition. “The deceased body is embalmed with a formalin
injection to the arteries, while smaller specimens are immersed in formalin. After dissection, all bodily fluids
and soluble fat in the specimens are then extracted and replaced through vacuum-forced impregnation with
reactive resins and elastomers such as silicon rubber and epoxy,” he says. After posing of the specimens for
optimal teaching value, they are cured with light, heat, or certain gases. The resulting specimens or
plastinates assume rigidity and permanence. “I am still developing my invention further, even today, as it is
not yet perfect,” he says.
During this time, von Hagens started his own company, BIODUR® Products, to distribute the special
polymers, equipment, and technology used for Plastination to medical institutions around the globe. Currently, more than 400 institutions in 40 countries worldwide use Gunther von Hagens’ invention to preserve
anatomical specimens for medical instruction. In 1983, Catholic Church figures asked Dr. von Hagens to
plastinate the heel bone of St. Hildegard of Bingen, (1090-1179), a beatified mystic, theologian, and writer
revered in Germany. His later offer to perform Plastination on Pope John Paul II foundered before serious
discussions.
In 1992, von Hagens married Dr. Angelina Whalley, a physician who serves as his Business Manager as well
as the designer of the BODY WORLDS exhibitions. A year later, Dr. von Hagens founded the Heidelbergbased Institute for Plastination, which offers plastinated specimens for educational use and for the BODY
WORLDS exhibitions, which premiered in Japan in 1995. To date, BODY WORLDS has been viewed by
nearly 40 million people, in more than 90 cities across Europe, America, Africa and Asia. His continued
efforts to present the exhibitions, even in the face of opposition and often blistering attacks are, he says, the
burden he must bear as a public anatomist and teacher. “The anatomist alone is assigned a specific role - he
is forced in his daily work to reject the taboos and convictions that people have about death and the dead. I
myself am not controversial, but my exhibitions are, because I am asking viewers to transcend their
fundamental beliefs and convictions about our joint and inescapable fate.”
Apparently determined to exhaust the limits of living in freedom, Dr. von Hagens has made a concerted effort
to travel and propagate his interests around the globe. He accepted a visiting professorship at Dalian
Medical University in China in 1996, and became director of the Plastination research centre at the State
Medical Academy in Bishkek/Kyrgyzstan. In 2001, he founded a private company, the Von Hagens Dalian
Plastination Ltd., in Dalian, China, which only plastinates animals.
In 2004, Dr. von Hagens began a visiting professorship at the New York University College of Dentistry,
where he’s in charge of changing the anatomy classes. Instead of using Formalin models, they’re now using
plastinates. In 2006 he founded the „Gubener Plastinate GmbH“ and opened the PLASTINARIUM in
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Guben, Germany, a plastination workshop and anatomical exhibition open to the public. . In 2012 he moved
the plastination of animals to the facility in Guben and closed the company in Dalian, China.
“The human body is the last remaining nature in a man made environment,” he says. “I hope for the
exhibitions to be places of enlightenment and contemplation, even of philosophical and religious self
recognition, and open to interpretation regardless of the background and philosophy of life of the viewer.”
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12.
Dr. Angelina Whalley Adds Art to Science and Anatomy
From an early age, Angelina Whalley - Director of the Institute for Plastination - wanted to be a surgeon. “I knew
very early in life that I wanted to help sick people, one person at a time, and that medicine was the sphere in
which I would be able to do that,” she said.
In 1986, with her medical degree from the University of Heidelberg in hand and a promising surgical career ahead
of her, Dr. Whalley signed up for an intensive course in dissection to hone her skills for the operating room.
Fortuitously, the course was taught by anatomist, Gunther von Hagens, with whom she would forge a bond, both
professional and personal, that has lasted since 1992.
During the early years of Dr. von Hagens’ explorations in Plastination, Whalley expected to defer her career and
her commitment to help the sick only temporarily. “I wanted to help his efforts which I felt were a monumental
achievement in the field of anatomy, but I was certain that I did not wish to have my professional fate tied to the
success or failure of his work,” she said.
In 1995, after she assumed her role in the BODY WORLDS exhibitions as its creative and conceptual designer,
she strove to present the specimens, organs, and plastinates in ways that would engage visitors. “I wanted to
further our mission of health education, by ennobling the post-mortal body and without sacrificing aesthetics. I try
to present the body in a dramatic, memorable, beautiful way so that people can learn about anatomy, disease,
and health,” Whalley said.
In an effort to go beyond literal health education, as conventional anatomy has elucidated since the Renaissance,
and as the BODY WORLDS exhibitions were doing until 2004, Whalley introduced philosophy as an organising
ethos in the exhibit. The juxtaposition of the plastinates with ruminations about life and death by the likes of
Goethe, Descartes, Seneca, and Kant helped create an atmosphere of awe and reverence in the exhibition halls
that many visitors liken to a spiritual awakening.
Whalley also introduced the principle of comparative anatomy to the exhibitions, where diseased organs were
placed next to healthy organs to striking effect. “The body is so fragile and vulnerable, and yet so resilient and
forgiving,” she says. “It has a memory so that what we do to it matters, but it also has a dynamic consciousness
so that giving up unhealthy lifestyles or taking up exercise, even small changes, can make a difference.” The
arresting sight of the blackened lung of a cigarette smoker next to a healthy lung has prompted countless visitors
to swear off smoking, while the diseased shrunken liver next to its healthy counterpart has prompted many to
surrender alcohol.
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Now that nearly 40 million visitors in more than 90 cities across Europe, America, Africa and Asia have seen the
BODY WORLDS exhibitions, many of them inspired to change their lifestyles and make a commitment to health,
Dr. Whalley rarely regrets abandoning her career as a surgeon. “It is profoundly moving for me to see women of
child bearing age linger at the foetal development section and encounter pre-natal life for the first time, or see
teenagers in leather jackets and blue jeans ditch their cigarette packs because some part of them finally
acknowledged that smoking was no longer cool,” she said. She has also embraced her unexpected career as an
influential public health advocate. “I have been able to educate far more people about health than I ever would
have if I had been a surgeon,” she says.
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13.
Dr. Angelina Whalley – Biography
Dr. Angelina Whalley, a licensed physician, is the Director of the Institute for Plastination in Heidelberg,
Germany. She also acts as the creative and conceptual designer of Gunther von Hagens' BODY WORLDS
exhibitions.
Born in Hanover, Germany in 1960, Angelina Whalley later pursued Medical Studies at Freie Universität
Berlin and graduated from Ruprecht Karls University in Heidelberg. In 1986, while a scientific employee at
the University of Heidelberg and preparing for a career in surgery, she met anatomist, Dr. Gunther von
Hagens. Working together in the anatomy labs of Heidelberg University they forged a professional and
personal bond that has lasted since 1992 – from the early years after the discovery of Plastination, through
the creation of BODY WORLDS exhibitions, to the opening of the exhibitions to critical and public acclaim in
more than 90 cities across Europe, America, Africa and Asia.
In 1993, after five years in scientific employment at the Anatomical Institute of Heidelberg University, Dr.
Whalley became director of BIODUR® Products, a company that markets Plastination formulas and
auxiliaries to more than 400 medical schools and universities worldwide.
In 1995, Dr. Whalley assumed her role in the BODY WORLDS exhibitions as its creative and conceptual
designer. Her work includes space and exhibit planning and installation, and presentation of specimens,
organs, and plastinates for optimal aesthetic, thematic, and didactic value.
In 1997, Dr. Whalley became Director of the Institute for Plastination in Heidelberg. Dr. Whalley has
promoted the exhibitions and made possible their presentation to nearly 40 million people worldwide.
Dr. Angelina Whalley and Dr. Gunther von Hagens married in 1992.
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14.
Summary of Ethical Review
Body Worlds: An Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human Bodies
Preface
The attached Ethical Review reflects the rigorous study conducted in 2004/2005 by the California Science
Center concerning the exhibit Body Worlds: An Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human Bodies with the aim of
assessing it for display at the Science Center. As discussed in the attached report, central to the review
process was a first-hand review of relevant consent documents and practices by an expert bioethicist and
extensive analysis by the Science Center’s Ethics Advisory Committee.
The scope of our work was to review relevant information pertaining to the Body Worlds exhibit as of 2004.
Our goal was to evaluate the ethical issues related to hosting Body Worlds, principally to ascertain sufficient
body donor informed consent, educational value of the exhibit, and the respectful treatment for human
remains. Based on this review we hosted Body Worlds with the conditions described in this report, and with
the exception of the non-viable fetuses that we chose not to display. The decision to exclude these pieces
from the Science Center exhibition was based on our sole judgment that they did not meet the standards
outlined in the Ethical Review – specifically that their science educational value did not outweigh community
and cultural sensitivities.
While we are pleased that the study conducted by the Science Center has been useful for other museums,
we do not presume to speak for others. Based on our experience and research, we emphasize the following
recommendations for other venues:
1. The active involvement and advice of a local Ethics Committee is indispensable. Engage the Ethics
Committee to evaluate ethical and cultural concerns prior to booking an exhibition.
2. To exhibit human bodies or organs without full, free and informed consent from the living donor is not
acceptable. Verify that bodies and organs have been donated with specific, full and informed
consent.
3. Ensure that the exhibition is in compliance with laws and regulations, in particular when cultural,
31
ethical, or religious controversies can be expected.
We make these recommendations with the utmost appreciation for Dr. Gunther von Hagens and his goal of
advancing “the medical enlightenment and appreciation of lay people”. His ground-breaking educational
exhibition which debuted at the Science Center in 2004 is highly valued and remains a gold standard for the
field. In considering this and any exhibit involving human remains we recognize the decisions faced by
today’s museums are complex and at times controversial. We have prepared this report describing our
review process in the hope that it will be helpful for other museums in their deliberations.
November 30, 2009
Jeffrey N. Rudolph, President and CEO, California Science Center
Diane Perlov, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Exhibits, California Science Center
Ethics Advisory Committee Members:
Father Richard Benson, C.M. Vincentian Fathers at St. John’s Seminary
David C. Blake, PhD, JD, Cedars-Sinai Health System
Rabbi Morley Feinstein, University Synagogue
Dr. Stanley Korenman, MD, UCLA Medical Center
Dr. Neil Wenger, MD, UCLA Department of Medicine
The complete document of ethical review can be found online
in the media section on the BODY WORLDS website www.bodyworlds.nl.
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15.
Visitors’ Reactions to BODY WORLDS
Independent visitor polls were carried out at several exhibition sites in an attempt to find out what BODY
WORLDS visitors really think. The purpose of the interviews was to gather the best possible objective insight
to visitor opinions, expectations, motives, fears, experiences, resolutions and changes of behaviour.
Professor Ernst-D. Lantermann of the University of Kassel, Germany, developed this survey and conducted it
in most of the cities.
The overall opinion on the exhibitions:
The overall visitor poll demonstrates that BODY WORLDS have been met with an overwhelming amount of
approval amongst its visitors. On average, 90% of the visitors said that the exhibition was either very good or
good. Only 2% said that the exhibition was poor.
33
Visitor polls were carried out at the following exhibition sites:
Osaka, Japan
Mannheim, Germany
Vienna, Austria
Basle, Switzerland
Cologne, Germany
Brussels, Belgium
London, United Kingdom
Munich, Germany
Hamburg, Germany
Singapore
Frankfurt/M., Germany
Los Angeles, USA
Chicago, USA
Toronto, Canada
Philadelphia, USA
Denver, USA
Charlotte, USA
Milwaukee, USA
Baltimore, USA
1996
October 1997 – March 1998
April – August 1999
September 1999 – January 2000
February – July 2000
September 2001 – March 2002
March 2002 – February 2003
February – August 2003
August 2003 – January 2004
November 2003 – March 2004
January – June 2004
July 2004 – January 2005
February – September 2005
September 2005 – February 2006
October 7, 2005 – April 23, 2006
March – July 2006
June- October 2007
January – June 2008
February - September 2008
Opinions on the individual exhibitions:
34
At all of the exhibition locations, the overall evaluation was very positive. Furthermore, the exhibition was
rated most positively in Charlotte, USA than in any of the previous exhibition locations, with 82% rating it as
very good.
Fascination beneath the surface?
35
63% of visitors stated that the authenticity of the exhibits on display had exerted considerable influence on
the insights they gained, and 49% felt that the specimens held aesthetic appeal to them. Only 5% of the
visitors felt that the display of human specimens offended their views on human dignity.
36
How do visitors evaluate individual aspects of the exhibition?
87% of the visitors stated that they knew more about the human body after their tour through the exhibition,
and 56% said that it “made them think more about life and death.” 79% felt "deep reverence for the marvel of
the human body," and 68% left the exhibition with valuable incentives for a healthier lifestyle. In addition,
47% of the visitors reported that they appreciated their body more after having seen the exhibition.
In summary, the study showed that the exhibitions met visitors’ positive expectations without exception,
whereas negative expectations and fears proved to be true only for a small minority during the exhibition.
37
Personal consequences resulting from the exhibition tour:
As demonstrated on the previous graph, 68% of the respondents resolved to pay more attention to their
physical health in future. In addition, many visitors’ attitude towards organ donation was altered by their visit.
Overall, 23% of the respondents were more willing to donate organs after they had seen the exhibition. 22%
of the visitors could well imagine donating their body for plastination purposes after death and 32% stated
that after having seen the exhibition they would agree more readily “that their dead body should be opened
(autopsied) to determine the cause of death.” The fact, that visitors resolved to lead a healthier lifestyle
demonstrates a lasting and, in our view, extraordinarily positive effect of the BODY WORLDS exhibitions on
the visitors. 74% will continue to deal with the experience and insights they gained in the exhibitions for some
time.
Normally it is not possible to verify to what extent the visitors act according to their resolutions. However, a
follow-up survey among visitors of BODY WORLDS in Vienna conducted six months after the end of the
exhibition clearly indicated that a considerable share of visitors actually changed behavioural patterns
according to their resolutions to lead a healthier life.
As many as 9% of the visitors to the Vienna exhibition who had participated in the follow-up survey (more
38
than 30%) stated that they had smoked less and consumed less alcohol since their visit to the exhibition,
33% have followed a healthier diet since then, 25% have engaged in more sports activities, and 14% have
become more aware of their body.
16.
Visitor information
BODY WORLDS
GROUPS 10+ visitors
INDIVIDUAL
INDIVIDUAL
TICKET RATES
ONLINE*
ONLINE*
BODY WORLDS*
Excl. 1€ service fee
Excl. 1€ service fee
Incl. 1€ service fee
TICKET PRICES
16,00 €
18,00 €
20,00 €
14,00 €
16,00 €
18,00 €
10,00 €
12,00 €
14,00 €
and 3 children
/
55,00 €
60,00 €
Additional child on family ticket****
/
6,00 €
8,00 €
Free
Free
Free
students
7,00 €
/
/
Post-secondary school students
10,00 €
/
/
Free
Free
Free
Adults
Students (under 30), senioren (over
65), CJP and Stadspas holders**
Children and teens (ages 6 -18),
wheelchair users***
FAMILY TICKET (4 visitors)
2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult
Children (ages 0-5)
SCHOOL VISITS (10+ visitors)
Primary and secondary school
Teachers, lecturers/professors and
teaching assistants*****
* Online ticket prices shown do not include service and transaction fees. Transaction fees will vary depending on
your chosen payment method. All box office ticket prices include service and transaction fees.
** Students (under 30), seniors (65 and over), CJP and Stadspas holders must present a valid form of ID to be
granted a discounted rate.
*** Body Worlds: The Happiness Project is located in a historically listed building that cannot support lift access
to it’s basement level. As a result, visitors with a physical disability who are unable to access the basement level
via the stairs (such as wheelchair users) fall under a discounted rate (the ‘Children and Teens’ rate).
**** Groups of 10 children or more must be accompanied by at least one adult. Free entrance for children under 6
(0-5 years of age), accompanied by an adult. Max. 3 extra children with a family ticket.
39
***** All teachers, lecturers/professors and teaching assistants are granted free admittance with the
BODY WORLDS teacher pass (docentenpas) and a valid form of ID. Please request your teacher pass in advance
online by going to www.bodyworlds.nl/docenten.
For more information, please check our website www.bodyworlds.nl
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