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Skinned, dissected corpses visit Taiwan

A representative of the National Taiwan Science Education Center introduces a male corpse to promote the exhibition ``Body Worlds'' yesterday. The educational center is located in the Shihlin District of Taipei City. PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES

Body Worlds, a controversial traveling exhibition of human corpses, is set to open at the National Taiwan Science Education Center (NTSEC) in Taipei next Wednesday.

Advertised with slogans such as "Discover the mysteries under your skin," the exhibition beckons visitors to do just that -- with displays of more than 20 skinless, dissected cadavers in various life-like poses that have been called everything from art to a freak show to "edu-tainment." The exhibition also features more than 200 animal and human organs.

The man behind the corpses, German artist Gunther von Hagens, summed up his intentions when he told The Guardian newspaper during the exhibition's London tour in March 2002 that "one of my biggest aims is to democratize anatomy."

He has found a sympathetic ear with NTSEC director Ko Cheng-feng (柯正峰).

"What we want to do is normalize science, especially for middle and elementary school students. From a scientific point of view, this exhibit is about understanding the constitution of the human body," Ko said yesterday.

Body Worlds yesterday presented a sneak preview of its Taipei exhibition, unveiling three of its displays: the lung of a smoker, a non-smoker, and a whole-body specimen, which Hagens had publicly dissected in London.

The specimens on display are donated corpses that have been treated via "plastination," a body-preservation technology invented by Hagens. The process begins with the embalming of specimens in formaldehyde, followed by the replacement of bodily fluids and fat molecules with acetone, which is in turn replaced with plastic. The specimen is then positioned, hardened under heat, and infused with either silicon rubber or resin.

"It takes about 1,500 hours and US$35,000 to plastinate each body. Only the eyes and the brain remain difficulties for us now," said Amelia Lin (林澧芳), manager of the Taiwan Branch of Korperwelten AG, which runs the exhibition.

According to Lin, the Taiwan exhibition will include a cross-section view of a pregnant woman, displaying prenatal development. In addition to human corpses, the anatomy of two animals, a horse and a camel will also be showcased. Visitors will even be invited to touch a few of the plastinated organs, which apparently feel like rubber -- according to Lin's explanation.

While the exhibition has been praised as an educational experience by its proponents, critics have raised questions as to whether an anatomical exhibition of such authenticity borders on the display of death and as such trespasses on principles that uphold human dignity.

Allegations of participation in the global traffic in bodies have also been rampant.

"All bodies were procured legally and from donors who have given their consent," Lin said.

She said that most of the bodies were donated in Germany.

"Every time the exhibit opens in a new city, we have to put a large amount of effort into explaining the exhibit so that people understand," Lin said.

Preempting the debate that the exhibition might provoke, Ko said that the NTSEC would be holding seminars on the display of human bodies, religion, ethics and other relevant issues.

The exhibition will run from April 21 until Oct. 24 at the NTSEC and will be open to people of all ages. Tickets cost NT$280 for adults with discounts for the elderly and for students. Children shorter than 1.1m attend for free. It will be open from 10am to 9pm daily.
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