The controversial exhibition, which holds a debate around the body around the world, is returning to Prague on an unprecedented scale after five years.

“We will present twenty full-body and three hundred other exhibits from real human bodies,” says Květa Havelková from the organizing company JVS Group. The exhibition is moving to Prague from Las Vegas.

The exhibition aroused great interest five years ago:

A figure woven of veins and blood vessels

The individual exhibits were created in the laboratories of the world’s leading anatomists using a process of so-called plastination. The method was invented and patented in 1977 by the German anatomist Gunther von Hagens. It consists in replacing the body with silicone, which stabilizes the tissues from the inside and thus prevents their decomposition.

It is a demanding process that can take more than a year for whole-body exhibits. Hagens traveled around the world with his exhibits and was gradually followed by a number of followers. His patents have expired and the method can be used by basically anyone.

One of the biggest attractions being prepared will be, for example, whole human skin without a body or a transparent figure called “RedMan” composed only of veins and blood vessels. “Personally, I have Discobola as my favorite, who, in addition to the exposed muscles, also demonstrates modern prosthetic aids and tools,” adds Havelková. The exhibit shows the use of several metal joints and clasps, but also, for example, artificial skull bones.

The exhibition also focuses on human health. An example is the comparison of sick and healthy organs. Visitors will be able to get acquainted with what a liver with cancer or kidneys with kidney stones look like. In addition, medics will provide an expert explanation of the exhibits. The introductory part of the exhibition also shows the history of medicine and at the end of it the Czech footprint in world medicine.

People donated all the bodies, say the organizers

Human remains exhibitions have attracted considerable attention around the world in the past. For many people and religious organizations, they are a sign of disrespect for the human body and an inappropriate effort to make money. The Catholic Church even tried to ban the exhibition in Slovakia in 2012 and urged believers not to visit it.

In addition, Hagens himself faced several allegations that the bodies did not come only from voluntary donors. For example, it was alleged that the body parts she had obtained from China belonged to the executed prisoners. Some even had bullet marks on their heads.

According to Havelková, however, the exhibits that arrive in the metropolis are not from Hagens’ laboratories and exclude that they would be removed without the consent of the dead. “The bodies at our exhibition come from a large American production, which has everything done legally,” says Havelková.

3D printing would also be useful, I think critics

Nevertheless, the exhibition arouses emotions again. According to Prague City Councilor for Culture Jan Wolf (KDU-ČSL), the display of human bodies is beyond the reach of good manners.

“It has nothing to do with art, and if someone wants to learn anatomy in a similar way, they can negotiate with the medical faculty of Charles University,” the councilor believes. According to him, the same result that the exhibition ends with the help of a real body can be obtained using 3D printers.

The question also remains whether the exhibition is suitable for children. According to the organizers, yes. “We have experience that children respond positively to the exhibits. They are very interested in the connection with their own body, “Havelková defends the opinion, adding that the most controversial part of the exhibition dedicated to the development of the human fetus can be bypassed.

However, according to psychologist Jana Zapletalová, the age of the child is very important. “Younger children are not always able to understand the context of what is presented to them, and it is possible that they could have bad dreams from the exhibition,” says the psychologist.

Although she is not a fan of similar exhibitions, she acknowledges that older children who are already familiar with anatomy at school can use the exhibition for teaching. According to her, however, the condition is a suitable additional interpretation. “Care must also be taken to ensure that the child is well-versed in what he sees and does not have fear or any bad feelings about the exhibits,” he adds.