NewYorkology

For discussion of Premier Exhibitions - PXHB - the company producing the Bodies show at South Street Seaport go to:

http://ragingbull.lycos.com/mboard/boards.cgi?board=PXHB

Posted by Jake at November 20, 2005 7:09 PM

Jan 13, 2006
Quest for Knowledge nursing Duty, not Power, favors Bodies, The Exhibition. When will We The Humans admit the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth of life and death so that we humans can learn about Human Bodies from Bodies, The Exhibition, and practice respect for both the live and the dead?
Life begins human pain and suffering that death ends, legally. Human Duties mandate gaining knowledge to learn and respect both the live and the dead, legally. Human Rights mandate not doing so, practicing disrespect for the live causing pain and suffering all life and then showing respect for the dead, legally. Is donation of a human part from the dead, even from the live, to help a suffering live human in need of such part exploitation or good human action? When will We The Humans legalize Human Duties but for which Human Rights can't, thus don't, exist, legally?
Thanks.

Posted by Lalit K. Jain, Esq. at January 13, 2006 11:47 AM

No matter how one markets this "exhibit" as respectful to the human body, it will NEVER be that. It is disrespectful, distasteful and inappropriate to any society that respects humanity.

These bodies came from cultures where it is WELL KNOWN that there are HUMAN RIGHTS’ VIOLATIONS. --It does not take much imagination regarding what might have happened to these people.

This showing is INAPPROPRIATE and shame on any building that will house this gross-disregard for the humans they once were...and shame on the people who visit such an exhibit, by going you support this behaviour.

Thanks for reading this.

Posted by Cindy Rubin at January 17, 2006 11:31 AM

I can accept and even have interest in an exhibit of this sort. Throughout history much knowledge and progress was made in medicine through the study of the human body. What I do object to is much the same as others have, that being the human rights violations of the Chinese government which brings into question the methods of obtaining the specimens. The second objection I have is the copying of the original concept introduced by Body World. That art form respects the authenticity of and value of the body and its parts which are documented and collected in an ethical manor. I cannot condone the current "exhibit" at the Seaport.

Posted by Ellen at January 22, 2006 8:44 PM

January 23, 2006
I would like to begin by saying that displaying the human form has always been the brunt of controversy and shame. So thank you for your strenght and courage. Also, the ancient physicians and artists had to steal cadavers to learn about the body. How wonderful that this no longer is the case.
If you are an anatomist, MD,physical therapist, occupational therapist, massage therapist, artist or anyone who deals with the body; Bodies the Exhibition is for you to see. Medicine is forever changing and seeing the body so respectfully inside and out will hopefully motivate health care pratcitioners to come up with new ideas as to how to treat and heal mankind and inspire the lay person to partiicpate in his/her own health. The Exhibition was marvelous. The dissections were superb and exhibits were respectfully displayed.
If you are uncomfortable with your body and are not into health or art then this exhibit is not for you. Understanding the anatomy, physiology, pathology will lead you to understand and better treat your body.
Enjoy the Exhibit

Posted by Margherita at January 23, 2006 9:46 AM

I visited the New York exhibit, and felt dehumanized--and nauseated. Exhibiting dead bodies in this way is a violation of human dignity; it serves no scientific purpose. Learning from cadavers is properly done by trained medical professionals behind closed doors.

Posted by Rob, NYC at March 6, 2006 10:29 PM

I visited the exhibit this past week, and all I can say is it is a rare opportunity to understand how we work. I'm not going to get into the morality of displaying human bodies or partsd or how they were obtained. Grave robbing and body stealing is a well established fact here in our supposedly civilized society. Just read the recent articles on funeral homes in the NYC area. If the creators of the exhibit assure us that the proper protocols were followed I'll go along with it. Besides, this exhibit is not going to make anyone a fortune, given the work involved. This is not a carnival side show, but a serious, intense look at the human body.

I did not feel that any part of the exhibit was objectionable or disrespectful to the bodies. They have in death, contributed to life as demonstrated by the many students from public schools as well as medical specialties were there. Fewer and fewer people donate their bodies for scientific research or to medical schools for teaching future doctors. Quite frankly, Dr.s being trained today have less familiarity with the mechanical aspects of the body then did their predecessors. An exhibit lke this, while no substitute for the real thing, forces the viewer to examine the astonishing complexity of the human body; when coupled with the abilitiy of the human mind, there is an machine here without equal. Feel free to add a soul to the equation- it only enhances the overall picture.

Bodies may take you down many paths, some spiritual, some scientific, but you will think about your existence. If there were any suggestion I would make, it would be to incorporate into the exhibit some of the more interesting aspects of cellular structure, utilizing current microscopy techniques to view processes as cell division and perhaps fertilization or neural cell movement.

I don't know how well Bodies would play in other parts of the country or with certain segments of the population, or the world for that matter, but it's an important exhibit for those with a curious and open mind.

Posted by M.Perry at March 10, 2006 12:59 PM

I guess some who post on this board don't ralize that when your dead, your dead. How can you be disrespectful to the dead, there are DEAD. Grow up and realize that what you do to a body after it dies is totally irrelevent. What a body does while still alive is the important thing.

Posted by Bill S at March 30, 2006 2:55 PM

I would just like to say that it is a shame not only that the american people,as diversified as we are, cannot accept death or are ashamed to expose any truth, but that as humans we still after all these years cannot admit to ourselves that death and truth is apart of life. We must learn to accept ourselves as the grusome insides we are whether it is to our taste or not. I want to study veterinary medicine and the sight of blood makes me quiver but that is something I must overcome in order to see the world of animals aqnd humans alike as true life!!!

Posted by valery Trinidad at March 31, 2006 9:08 AM

News of 36 Concentration Camps in China just broke around the world today. These camps are known to harvest organs and sell them on the black market. To find out more about this present day holocaust go to www.faluninfo.net

PLEASE HELP!!!!1

Posted by Courtney Dowe at March 31, 2006 12:41 PM

PRESENT-DAY HOLOCAUST IN CHINA!!!!!!!!!!
36 CONCENTRATION CAMPS FOUND!!!!!!!

CCP CONTINUES TO PERSECUTE PEACEFUL MEDITATION OF FALUN GONG.

I HAVE NOT SEEN THIS EXIBIT BUT I WAS TOLD THAT ONE OF THE BODIES IS EVEN SITTING IN MEDITATION!!

PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!

WWW.FALUNINFO.COM

Posted by Courtney Dowe at March 31, 2006 12:47 PM

Sorry, but just because those sponsoring the exhibit say the proper protocols were followed doesn't mean they were, or that even proper protocols exist in China to begin with. As others have mentioned, the procedures/protocols for human rights in China are so questionable that there is a good chance these bodies were obtained and used in a manner without prior consent. Even if some were supposedly "unclaimed" bodies, it's galling to use them for an exhibit like this. Imagine if you died unexpectedly in a location far from home and you didn't have an ID on you so no one claimed your body. Do the authorities have the right to sell your body then? Would you like it if you next showed up sliced and diced but facially recognizable in an exhibit like this?

And to the person who said one can't disrespect the dead, get real. Sounds like this person would embrace necrophilia.

Posted by Human Dignity at April 12, 2006 9:03 AM

You're missing the point:

Dr. Roy Glover, Professor Emeritus of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the University of Michigan and Chief Medical Director for the Exhibition, said:

For centuries, this world has been off-limits to the public -- open only to doctors and medical professionals. Now, for the first time, we are pulling back the curtain and allowing the public to see it for themselves, up-close and personal. Have you wondered what's underneath your skin? After seeing this exhibition, you will finally know. The body doesn't lie.

Our eyes can expect to be opened to the effects of obesity. Organs will be shown which have been impacted as a result of over-eating and a lack of exercise.

The goal of the exhibition is to change the way people see themselves. It is designed to enlighten, empower, fascinate and inspire.

Posted by Sean at April 29, 2006 10:44 PM

The reduction of these individuals to inanimate objects is a unifying reminder to us all that we are houses of the holy, each of us, and that we should worship (care for) the body-temple. This, in turn, encourages empathy for others, with whom we share like senses and faculties. Let us offer some prayer and meditation in reverence of those whose flesh now lies displayed before us. In the event these specimens were obtained illegally or imorally, so much more should be our respect for the dead. Perhaps the best way to respect those who have left their corporeal forms for our study, whether willingly or not, is to make the most of that study, out of regard for life. Let these now-silent beings speak again, gathering and galvanizing us in reverence of life, all life in all its forms. As for those who suffer at the hands of lesser men, though they be removed from us by continents, let this exhibit remind us of our oneness in being, that the awareness of our shared existence may bring about a better condition, where humans use their knowledge of the physical to eliminate pain and suffering, for all species of the earth.

Posted by Nancy Andrea C. at May 23, 2006 10:53 AM

How these people died should be of some concern to viewers. Were they rounded up while practicing Falun Gong? What if we were arrested for practicing Yoga or Pilates? There is strong evidence to support the belief that China is rounding up Falun Gong practitioners and incarcerating them. Then, without the person's knowledge or consent, they are taken to an operating theatre, and with or without benefit of anesthetic their marketable organs are removed and then the bodies sold to exhibits such as these. Is this how America shows its support for democracy or is this how America shows its fear of Communist regimes? Rest assured, Asian culture does not support mutilation of the body after death. Do you really believe that these bodies have been willingly donated? The manner of death is visible on some corpses...the lucky ones got a bullet to the head before their bodies were harvested and mummified...

Posted by Helen at August 16, 2006 11:02 PM

BODIES, THE EXHIBITION is currently showing in Tampa, FL a the MOSI there. I took my family yesterday and I have to say it was a life changing experience. Most of the bodies had severe lung damage from smokeing. I laid my pack down yesterday and haven't even really been tempted to pick on back up. It is also amazing to see how our bodies function and how complex we are.

I understand the issues people have with how these bodies were obtained, and you can't help but wonder about who they were when they were alive. In the same sense should I also not buy anything with parts made in China until I can confirm which factory the parts were made at, and receive a guarantee that the factory is not a sweatshop?

It is easy to be smug about your opinions, but don't be a hypocrite. You may use as the argument that everything just about is made in China so there is no options. You always have options, just depends on which ones you are willing to make.

If this exhibit saves 1 human life than that persons life wasn't squandered. I for one can guarantee you without a shadow of a doubt that 1 human life was changed and hopefully saved from smoking related lung cancer because of the exhibit.

Posted by Mark Spence at August 20, 2006 10:22 AM

There's an editorial about this here: http://nycpocket.com/bodies.html

Posted by NYC Travel at March 6, 2007 1:27 PM

This was the most amazing Exhibit I have ever seen in my life, I am back home in California now, we had saw it in New York 5/19/07 on vacation. I am still talking and thinking about it, Thank you China for allowing us to see such an amazing visual of the human bodie. This is a must see for anyone who is curious to what is under our skins...

Posted by Kym at May 23, 2007 4:20 PM