Week 4

In 2010 I visited the famous BODY WORLDS in downtown San Diego. This exhibit displayed the anatomy of the human body. We could see how our muscles work in different body positions or how complex our nervous system is. I was amazed at how many things make up the human body. The exhibit gave viewers a three dimensional view of our anatomy versus learning about it in a two dimensional science textbook thus I had a better grasp of what is inside me. The exhibit primarily displayed three different anatomical systems, such as the muscular, circulatory, and nervous system. 

https://www.google.com/searchq=bodies+exhibit&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=
0ahUKEwiy5rrL0KjMAhWkr4MKHWCLDAAQ_AUIBygB&biw=1308&bih=665#tbm=isch&q=body+worlds&imgrc=JOidU2BHj5pXZM%3A

The muscular system was the main part of the exhibit. The bodies were displayed in different positions to show the how the muscles were being affected. For example there was a female body in a gymnast pose, showing the flexibly and durability of our muscles. For an artistic approach there is one display where a body is playing the saxophone. I believe it was displayed for a more entertainment purpose since not many muscles were being used. The oddest exhibit was a female body with child. The mother’s stomach was cut open to show a baby inside. Scientifically it was interesting to see how muscles and other anatomy moves around to grow a baby. Artistically, I believe they wanted to show how like the muscular system, pregnancy is another wonderful part of the human body. 

https://www.google.com/searchq=bodies+exhibit&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=
0ahUKEwiy5rrL0KjMAhWkr4MKHWCLDAAQ_AUIBygB&biw=1308&bih=665#tbm=isch&q=
body+worlds+baby&imgrc=1HR8wz45xC9ToM%3A

My favorite part of the exhibit were the circulatory and nervous system exhibits. The artists were able to recreate the millions of blood vessels and nerves that help keep the body moving. Scientifically I learned there are a lot more blood vessels in my body than I thought. For example in the photo posted below we can see how many blood vessels live in the head alone. Without the bones, muscles, or skin we can still make out the shape of the lips, nose, and eye sockets. Artistically, it amazes me at the details and patience the artist must of had to recreate such a intricate part of our anatomy. With the black background, it really makes the red blood vessels pop making it a wonderful scientific piece of art.

https://www.google.com/searchq=bodies+exhibit&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=
X&ved=0ahUKEwiy5rrL0KjMAhWkr4MKHWCLDAAQ_AUIBygB&biw=1308&bih=665#tbm=isch&q=
body+worlds+circulatory+system&imgrc=2oUWWxqB4Cg3dM%3A

In conclusion this exhibit was very informative, interesting, and also very creative. The different poses of the bodies and the detailed displayed of the different systems allowed me to have a scientific and artistic experience. 

Citations:

Von Hagens, Gunther. Longitudinal Body Slices. 2013. Body Worlds, St. Paul. StarTribune. Web. 24 Apr. 2016.

Circulatory System of Human Head. 2015. Body Worlds. Reddit. Web. 24 Apr. 2016.

Adams, Stephen. Flayed Foetus. 2008. Body Worlds. The Telegraph. Web. 24 Apr. 2016. 

Vesna, Vitctoria. "Art+Medtech" UCLA, Los Angeles. 24 Apr. 2016. Lecture."Body Worlds." Body Worlds. Institute for Plastination, 2016. Web. 24 Apr. 2016.