Arts News
Body Worlds 2 Featuring All New Specimens!
By James Wray
Jan 5, 2005, 18:47 GMT

In response to the tremendous popularity of BODY WORLDS: The Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human Bodies, the California Science Center's President Jeffrey N. Rudolph is pleased to announce the debut of BODY WORLDS 2 scheduled to open January 29 and run through March 27, 2005.

Since July, more than half a million guests have visited BODY WORLDS, distinguishing it as the most well attended special exhibit in California Science Center history. Visitor surveys reveal that numerous guests are visiting the exhibit three and four times. To accommodate the crowds, the Science Center opened on Christmas and New Years Day. BODY WORLDS closes on January 23 and travels to the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry where it will open in February.

BODY WORLDS 2 equals its predecessor in size and proportion, comprising 20,000 sq. feet, and more than 200 all-new plastinated real human body specimens including more than 20 whole bodies, healthy and unhealthy organs, body parts and slices.

Dr. Gunther von Hagens, creator of BODY WORLDS and inventor of the plastination technique, has designed BODY WORLDS 2 to reveal significant insights about human anatomy, physiology and health not available in the previous exhibit, presenting an unprecedented view of the structure and function of the human body and offering an unforgettable lesson on the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle.

Highlights include, the "Suicide by Fat -- Obesity Revealed" specimen, which shows fat tissue and its relentless, unremitting ability to shorten life by damaging vital organs like the heart and bones. A "Cube Head" plastinate, acts as a 3D puzzle showing us the density of the human head displayed inch-by-inch and how it connects and works together. "Orthopedic Man," demonstrates a variety of surgically implanted orthopedic devices. These and other real preserved human specimens reveal new views of the body in mesmerizing detail.

California Science Center President Jeffrey Rudolph comments, "BODY WORLDS has exceeded our expectations in terms of both strong, overwhelming attendance and the new appreciation of human anatomy and physiology gained by the public. I am thrilled that Dr. Gunther Von Hagens has agreed to present the American premiere of BODY WORLDS 2 at the California Science Center, offering our guests an extended opportunity to learn about the human body and marvel at its elegance and complexity."

Reflecting on his latest exhibit, Dr. Gunther von Hagens notes, "BODY WORLDS 2 reveals our inner face, our individual anatomy from new angles. I have brought this exhibit to the US as an unparalleled teaching tool -- to change the perception of what we are and how we can achieve a healthier, more capable and longer life."

THE PROCESS OF PLASTINATION

Plastination is a unique process invented by Dr. Gunther von Hagens to preserve specimens for medical education. The process replaces the body's water tissue with fluid plastics that harden after vacuum-forced impregnation. Hardening the plastic in the specimens allows the bodies to be fixed into life-like poses, which illustrate how our bodies respond, internally, to movements in everyday athletic activities.

According to Dr. von Hagens, "It's the mission of BODY WORLDS to inform visitors, and to open up the opportunity, particularly to medical laymen, to better understand the body and its functions."

ABOUT THE EXHIBIT

BODY WORLDS 2: The Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human Bodies, is an extraordinary exhibit in which visitors learn about anatomy, physiology and health by viewing real human bodies, preserved through an extraordinary new method called "plastination." Although BODY WORLDS has toured Europe and Asia to great acclaim, BODY WORLDS 2 has never been seen in Europe or America. The California Science Center proudly hosts the American debut of this highly successful exhibit.

BODY WORLDS and BODY WORLDS 2, were developed by the Institute for Plastination in Heidelberg, Germany and have drawn over 16 million visitors worldwide.

Science Center President Jeffrey N. Rudolph notes, "BODY WORLDS and BODY WORLDS 2 support the educational mission of the Science Center. These are the most powerful exhibits I have ever seen. The unique use of authentic specimens teaches lessons about health, disease, physiology and anatomy that could not be possible with constructed models, photos or textbooks. Ultimately, the use of real human bodies inspires new respect for the body and its incredible complexity."

To augment the guest experience during the run of BODY WORLDS 2, the Science Center IMAX Theater features The Human Body, a film that examines a day in the life of the body as it diligently goes about its complex set of everyday chores. Using innovative filmmaking techniques, combined with the latest medical and scientific imaging, the film shows us the amazing systems that keep our bodies running at full steam and the extraordinary marvels of life.

The BODY WORLDS 2 exhibition is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (last admission at 8 p.m.) On February 11, hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last admission at 3:00 p.m.) Guests are encouraged to check the web site at www.californiasciencecenter.org.

BODY WORLDS 2 admission prices are: $12 for adults; $9.50 for seniors 60+ and students age 13+ with I.D.; and $5.75 for children 4 - 12. Member rates are $9.50 for adults and $5.50 for children. Special rates for schools and other groups of 15 and over apply.

Combination ticket prices for BODY WORLDS 2 and the IMAX film The Human Body are: $17.50 for adults; $13.00 for seniors and students; and $8.25 for children. Audio guides in English are also available at $4.00 for adults, and $2.00 for students and seniors. Admission to all other Science Center exhibits is free. Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Tickets are available for purchase at the Science Center box office or online via our website.

The California Science Center is located at 700 State Drive -- Exposition Park, Los Angeles. Enter visitor parking at 39th & Figueroa Street. Parking is $6 per car. Due to the possibility of lines, please arrive early. For general information, call 323.SCIENCE (323.724-3623) or visit our website at www.californiasciencecenter.org. Both the Science Center and IMAX Theater are wheelchair accessible.