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The primary goal of BODY WORLDS is health education. On
the one hand, individual specimens are used to compare healthy and
diseased organs, i.e., a healthy lung with that of a smoker, to
emphasize the importance of a healthy life-style. On the other hand,
life-like posed whole-body plastinates illustrate where in our bodies
these organs are positioned and what we are: naturally fragile in a
mechanized world.
Thus, the exhibitions are targeted mainly at a
lay audience to open up the opportunity to better understand the human
body and its functions. The exhibits help the visitors to once again
become aware of the naturalness of their bodies and to recognize the
individuality and anatomical beauty inside of them. The authenticity of
the specimens on display is essential for such insight. Every human
being is unique. Humans reveal their individuality not only through the
visible exterior, but also through the interior of their bodies, as
each body is distinctly different from any other. Position, size,
shape, and structure of skeleton, muscles, nerves, and organs determine
our "interior face." It would be impossible to convey this anatomical
individuality with models, for a model is nothing more than an
interpretation. All models look alike and are, essentially, simplified
versions of the real thing. The authenticity of the specimens, however,
is fascinating and enables the observer to experience the marvel of the
real human body. The exhibitions are thus dedicated to the individual
interior face.
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Children looking at the whole body plastinate "The Skateboarder, 2005"
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