Body Worlds – now in Jozi!

I first heard about Body Worlds in Cape Town (where it had over 100 000 visitors!) when we were down over the holidays. I didn’t quite get what was about so when I heard they’re in Jozi & in my hood, I knew I couldn’t miss the chance to check it out.

Body Worlds was started by Dr Gunther van Hagens, a German anatomist (yes really, that an occupation!) obsessed with science. Described as “edutainment” Body Worlds gives us all a peak under our own complex skins. Dr Guther Hagens invented a unique preservation technique called Plastination. The water & fat in each specimen or plastinates as they’re called is removed & replaced so that they maintain their original form & don’t decay or smell. The plastinates have all been acquired with consent through a donation program over several years. In fact they’ve had to close the program due to the high number of donors – who would have guessed!

Lust

• its absolutely fascinating – I left with newfound respect for my body & all of its daily functions I never spare a moment to think about, because, well, it just works!
• this definitely has equal appeal for kids & adults, so no one will be bored.

Love

• I love the “action positions” that the plastinates are all in. Whether its playing a trumpet or jumping a fence, they’re doing the ordinary things we’d be doing everyday.
• I’m bias, but I love that the CBD was chosen to host this

Loathe

• Not a thing – just go!

Everything in the exhibition once had a heartbeat. That’s quite something when you think about it… A little creepy maybe but that’s soon forgotten as soon as you walk as you inevitably marvel as the inner workings of your body. There are no less that 7 Body World expo’s on at any given time around the world, each with a theme of their own. This one is themed “The Cycle of Life” as so starts with embryos as you enter and you’re walked through the ageing process as your proceed. I was amazed that a 3 week old embryo is no bigger than a speck of rice…

“We will present ageing as a natural progression – from conception to living with inspiration into later years and the latest findings in longevity research,” Dr. von Hagens said, “The Cycle of Life will remind people of what’s at stake as they age & help them learn about living a long, healthy life,” he said.

If I ran the place

• I’d somehow make this a compulsory excursion for all school kids – I think they’d thank me when they can toss the books for the day.

Need to know

• In keeping things true to life there is one scene at the end of the expo that’s not suitable for kids due to its sexual nature – its cornered off, you can’t miss it.
• Body World runs until the end of June 2013
• Tickets cost R140 & discounts are available for students, young children, families, groups & senior citizens.
• There are whispers of a 3rd venue in SA but that’s yet to be confirmed.

W

Body Worlds

Sci-Bono Discovery Centre (Newtown), cnr Miriam Makeba & President Street, Johannesburg

Tickets available: From WebTickets (www.webtickets.co.za)

Opening Times: Mon – Sun: 09:00 to 18:30 (last admission) – Doors close 1.5 hours after last admission

General Queries: Tel: 071 547 5558