‘Bodies Revealed’ opens at Science Museum Oklahoma

The “Bodies” are back. A decade after “Our Body: The Universe Within,” a collection of human bodies dissected and preserved in a peculiar plasticized state, drew thousands of fascinated visitors to Science Museum Oklahoma, the related traveling exhibition “Bodies Revealed” opens Saturday at the museum.

Anticipation for the exhibit is high, said Clint Stone, the museum’s director of education and training, and curiosity is a driving factor behind the concept’s continued popularity.

“You know, we spend a lot of time trying to figure out exactly how we work: emotionally, mentally and physically. This exhibit answers one of those questions — how does our body work physically — better than any other avenue. We can use medical models. We can study human anatomy ... and oftentimes we are looking at an artist’s rendering or an idealistic view of the human form,” Stone said.

“With this exhibit, we’re able to see something real. They use real human body specimens. And they are going to show us how our bodies work in a way that reading and textbooks and models just can’t do.” Preservation process Developed by Premier Exhibitions Inc., “Bodies Revealed” features whole and partial scientific human body specimens that have been preserved through a process called polymer preservation. The process permanently preserves human tissue through the use of liquid silicone rubber that is treated and hardened.

The result is a rubberized specimen, preserved to the cellular level, showcasing the complexity of the body’s bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels and organs.

Some of the full-body forms are arranged in athletic poses — riding a bicycle, swinging a golf club, crouching in a sprinter’s stance — designed to help visitors better understand their own everyday movements. Other specimens illustrate the real-life damage that bad habits like smoking, overeating and failing to exercise can cause.

Stone said the preserved bodies offer a unique close-up at the human skeletal, muscular, reproductive, respiratory and digestive systems.

“It is amazing that these body specimens can be preserved in this way ... and then we’re able to look at things that can seem very abstract to us like our nervous system,” Stone said. “What I’m really amazed by is our circulatory system and the way we can really view that in a way that is ... undeniably real. That’s what makes this exhibit completely fascinating and, in my mind, wonderful.” Strong feelings He acknowledged that some people may find the exhibit disturbing rather than fascinating. People simply have to make their own choices as to whether they want to attend and bring their families.

“Because it is so real ... it is one of those things that is going to elicit very strong responses,” he said. “That can be an attraction, a want to know about our own bodies . ... But at the same time, I know that there are people that do not share that point of view.”

He said he can still remember seeing the similar “Our Body” exhibit at the science museum 10 years ago. He opted not to take his son because he felt the boy was too young.

“I hope that people will look at the bodies as a way to learn about ourselves,” Stone said. “The human body — how it works and all the functions it performs — is truly amazing. We go through our day and we never really think about it, but when you look at the whole body specimens themselves, you’re able to get an understanding of how everything works together.”

Don Otto, the science museum’s recently retired president and CEO, said that the “Our Body” exhibit was so popular in 2007 that it helped the institution make a comeback from financial hard times, bringing in big crowds and renewing interest in the museum.

“That allowed us to begin to plow revenue ... beyond expenses back into the museum. So that really helped us,” he said. “And that sort of fed on itself and began to grow. And people started taking notice.”

“Bodies Revealed” will be on view through Oct. 29.

Science Museum Oklahoma, 2020 Remington Place, is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

General admission for “Bodies Revealed,” which includes access to the entire museum, is $25.95 for adults (ages 13 to 64), $20.95 for seniors (65 and older), and $18.95 for children (ages 3 to 12).

Discounted admission to “Bodies Revealed” is available for Science Museum Oklahoma members. Member pricing for “Bodies Revealed” is $7.95 for adults (ages 13 to 64), $5.95 for seniors (65 and older) and $4.95 for children (ages 3-12). Group pricing is available when booked in advance.

For more information, go to www.sciencemuseumok. org.