Toni Chanakas · Bodies: The Exhibition – A Review

August 6th, 2010

Bending down to lace my sneakers around 7:30 a.m., it was beginning to become a hot, humid morning as I started my run towards Lake Erie. I immediately thought about the Bodies Exhibit I saw for the second time. My body, therefore, has the ability to do amazing things such moving my arms and legs in an even, fluid rhythm. My body with all its intricacies, and complexity, works correctly every day I instruct it. My brain, the conductor, feeds the appropriate information to my quadriceps, ankles and toes, Run please! In fact, the human body is an engineering marvel.

Because of the body’s flexibility, and durability, I have always been fastenated by the human body, and how all the components just magically work. In my sculpture class, in fact, I created a plaster mold of the shoulder’s “ball and socket.” How does the shoulder stay in place? I still ponder that question.

What better way to learn and explore how our bodies digest food, pump blood, and breathe; plus, how our muscles protect and enclose vital organs. I was trilled to witness the opening of the Bodies: Exhibition on East 4th and Euclid Avenue a few weeks back. The seamless restoration of an old abandon building into dynamic graphics, video tutorials and riveting real life bodies that can be seen up close. The brilliant use of space for each body along with a good balance of visuals with simplistic terminology, that was easy to comprehend. With my admiration for such an important subject, I visited for a second time to learn what I missed the first time.

I had the pleasure to speak to Dr. Roy Glover, Chief Medical Director, who informed me that all the bodies in the exhibit are on loan from the medical school, which took several years to preserve. Plus, he enthusiastically stated that the success of this exhibit to children has been an inspiration because everyone can see first hand how the body looks and works. My response was, “why wouldn’t we want to learn the best way to increase our life span. And, why eating a well-balanced meal is so important? Or, if I smoke two packs a day, what will my lungs look like?”

Real-life organ displays, educational videos and staff personal, who have a biological background, are there to answer any of your questions. Interestingly, your brain is mostly comprised of water, which is why preserving it takes longer. It often looked to me that the brain was almost too small but a staff member assured me that it was actual size. Moreover, it weighs over three pounds. Why is this important anyway? Well, your body is brilliantly constructed that your neck bones and spinal cord have the ability to keep the weight perfectly balanced.

Another interesting fact, your liver is the heaviest organ weighing over 3.5 pounds with large amounts of blood circulating. This is a good opportunity to see a “black lung” from smoke inhalation and the arduous distance our food travels. The greater omentum, which hangs from the stomach, is one of the new organs I was unfamiliar with until this exhibit. Facts such as these are explained at each exhibit table along with a normal organ next to a diseased one.

How do the bodies look? Do not be alarmed, the preservation methods is such that the body looks almost “unreal or rubbery.” In fact, it reminds me of a kid’s school biology kit of some kind. The eyes are glass because they contain so much water like the brain; they cannot be preserved as easily. Plus, every body is positioned in a different pose that reflects different positions using other muscles. I had a problem a few years back with my piriformis (pear shaped muscle) that is buried deep down into the gluteus maximus region. Now, I know why it took so long to heal, it is not easy to find; hence, stretching it out is a difficult process.

Finally, each exhibit shows a different interior section that was skillfully dissected. One body will show the heart and the lungs plus the immensity of the aortic artery – the largest artery in the body. My interest was such that my head almost touched the exhibit, for, I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss anything.

The entire show, in my opinion was breath taking. My favorite section was the darkened room with all the arteries and veins all a glow. The hundreds and thousands of veins in the circulatory system was truly – a miracle of life. The design and articulation of the human body can never be replicated. Do your part and help preserve your body for as long as you can – integrate a healthy living style of exercise and nutritious food.

For more information on the Bodies: The Exhibition
http://www.bodiestheexhibition.com/cleveland/

Plus, get 20% off regular adult admission before 8/08 @ box office with code TWEET #bodiesCLE

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