I recently attended the Boston Museum of Science’s new exhibit Body Worlds 2 to see what all the fuss was about.

You see the exhibit contains real human bodies and parts.

But far from being a clinical array of bones and donated parts in cases the exhibit contains whole and complete bodies in various poses.

The bodies show muscles, ligaments, the nervous system, the locomotive system, the respiratory system, and the cardiovascular and digestive systems… all preserved by a painstaking process called Plastination invented by Dr. Gunther von Hagens.

The anatomical preservation of Plastination replaces bodily fluids and fat in donor specimens with fluid plastics that harden over time, and after the poses have been set. The process can take a year.

I’m the first to admit I’m pretty squeamish – just ask my wife – I can’t watch the real life emergency hospital shows. But I found the Body Worlds 2 exhibit both fascinating and educational!

There are over 200 specimens in the exhibit split up over five rooms, and it takes an hour or two to fully absorb everything the show offers.

A walk through the exhibit provides an amazing window into what really is just beneath our thin layer of skin and exactly where all the organs are, and the parts that keep everything in place.

I won’t spoil your pleasure by revealing anything more but strongly suggest you put this exhibit on must-see shows before it leaves town on January 7, 2007.

So the answer to the question I posed in the headline to this entry is… yes! The Body Worlds 2 exhibit is both science at its most education, but also makes for an eerie display of art. For those that don’t feel the human body is a work of art then I urge you to attend this show, and be convinced otherwise.

Tickets to the show are $24 for adults, and $18 for child (3-11). Daytime show prices also include general admission to the Museum Exhibit Halls.

For more information check out the MOS site at www.mos.org

Why not combine a trip to the exhibit and MOS halls with other attractions in Boston. For other suggestions to Boston destinations check out my special page by clicking here.

Look for my next post in a few days as I’ll have a report on one of the best beaches in New England for you, and just in time for a late summer visit.

Best wishes,

Cliff Calderwood
Executive Director
Destinations for New England vacations