The art students of Blackville-Hilda High School attended the Body World Exhibit on Wednesday, Jan. 18. The exhibit was created by Gunther Von Hagens a German anatomist who invented the technique for preserving biological tissue specimens called plastination.
All anatomical specimens on display in the BODY WORLDS exhibitions are authentic. They belonged to people who declared during their lifetime that their bodies should be made available after their deaths for the qualification of physicians and the instruction of laypersons. Many donors underscore that by donating their body, they want to be useful to others even after their death. Their selfless donations allow us to gain unique insights into human bodies, which have thus far been reserved for physicians at best. Therefore, we wish to thank the living and deceased body donors.
The BODY WORLDS exhibits teach a great deal about the science and anatomy of the human body. They also teach about the form and art of the human body. Studies of anatomy have always been a key part of art education. Artists who know how the human body is put together, and how its muscles work, are better able to portray people in painting, sculpture and other art forms. This knowledge is important, even if artists choose to represent the human form in abstract ways rather than realistic representation.
I’m proud to say our students handled themselves very well. Not only did they display maturity, but were polite, gracious and respectful. In my opinion, they were the best behaved school at the museum.
I hope that all students enjoyed the learning experience as much as I did. I believe the students will return to school with new insight on how the human body works and how to represent it in art form.