In the late 1970’s, Anatomist Gunther Von Hagan invented a process of preserving human bodies, called ‘plastination’. Plastination is where approximately 70% of the body (fluids and fat) is filled with ‘plastics’ (polymers like silicon rubber or polyester resin), which preserves the body’s dead tissue.
The Plastination Process
- Fixation: specimens are fixed with 5% formalin
- Dissection: specimens dissected as needed
- Dehydration: the specimen’s body fluids and fat are replaced by ethanol and then treated in a cold bath of acetone
- Delipidation: fat is replaced in a warm acetone bath
- Vacuum impregnation: acetone is replaced by plastic under a vacuum
- Gas curing: specimens are positioned and then cured with gas
Body Works
Von Hagens’ first plastinated cadaver exhibits began in 1995 and have traveled the world causing curiosity, interest and controversy. Von Hagens has been accused of self-promotion and as "trampling on human rights of the dead", his displays called sensationalist and offensive.
Von Hagens maintains that his displays are for education purposes and public awareness of health issues. He also has several documentaries on autopsy and the process of life and death.
Von Hagens is again in the spotlight for his most recent 'Body Works' show, this time for displaying cadavers in sexual positions. His critics have again slammed his work, labeling it unacceptable. Von Hagens stated that two thirds of men and a third of the women that donated their bodies for research were fine with being shown in sexual positions or acts.
Body Art?
While Von Hagens dissect cadavers for scientific purposes, and displays them for educational purposes and public awareness, others are using parts of the human body in not so scientific ways.
American artist Andrew Krasnow has been using human skin to make sculptures and is about to exhibit his work in a U.K gallery. His work includes human lampshades, American flags, American maps and boots. The human skin is tanned the same way as animal skin is, so in effect, he is using the skin like leather.
Krasnow says that the point of making American flags from human skin, which he created before the Gulf War, was to express his "concerns about war" and likewise, his use of skin to make a US$10 bill was "in keeping with his questioning of U.S values".
Krasnow uses skin that was donated for medical science, and one could question how scientific it is to make a lampshade from human skin. While most artists like to tell a story or convey a message, something they are passionate about, how far will the use of the human body go?
Controversy always surrounds the use of parts of the body that are new or unusual to us, but when the use falls outside the bounds of scientific research, one must wonder if and when someone will draw the line. Will it soon be acceptable to display a half masticated heart as a symbol of love lost, or a severed ring finger to symbolize the severing of a marriage? One would hope not.
Resources and further reading:
Copulating corpses spark outrage in Berlin, ABC News, May 2009
Lifelike body parts to highlight Museum of Science exhibit, The Buffalo News, May 2009
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