Overview
With over 45 million visitors globally, Body Worlds is one of the world's most visited health and wellness exhibitions. It's also frequently described as a "life changing experience," — visitors can expect to leave with an understanding of the marvel that is the human body. Now, the original exhibition of real human bodies is coming to Auckland this April.
The Body Worlds Vital exhibition takes attendees on an intricate journey of the workings of the human body, through an authentic, visual display of over 150 donated specimens. The human bodies and body parts, donated for the benefit of public education, have gone through a meticulous process of plastination, and demonstrate the complexity, resilience and vulnerability of the human body in distress, disease and optimal health.
The exhibitions were founded by anatomist and scientist Dr. Gunther von Hagens and physician and conceptual designer Dr. Angelina Whalley.
The New Zealand tour specifically focuses on contemporary diseases and ailments and how everyday lifestyle choices can improve health and wellness, to live with vitality. The 150 specimens on display stem from the Institute for Plastination's body donation program and are preserved through a scientific process that replaces body fluids with polymers.
Interactive elements include the Anatomical Mirror, where visitors will see how organs are positioned in their own body, a photo display that showcases longevity and healthy ageing, and healthy organs shown in direct comparison with diseased organs.
It will be stationed at Hilton Exhibition Centre on Princes Wharf.