‘Bodies’ offers education with its skinless anatomy lesson

By Jerry Fink

Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009 | 3:15 p.m.

Las Vegas offers two types of body exhibits – with or without skin.

If you prefer with skin there are plenty of choices, among them “Fantasy” at the Luxor, where the curvy dancers are full of life.

The Luxor is also home to a skinless display of lifeless forms, “Bodies ... The Exhibition,” featuring a cast of cadavers supplied by Dalian Medical University in China.

“Bodies” features more than 260 full body, organ and partial body specimens revealing the complexity of our physical selves. The bodies are preserved by “polymer preservation,” a process involving the use of liquid silicone. All systems are go in this display of the human body – the skeletal system as well as muscular, nervous, respiratory, digestive and urinary systems. The only thing the display lacks is a background soundtrack of Frank Sinatra singing “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.”

Since arriving in the United States in 2005, “Bodies” has been controversial. Many have objected to displaying the cadavers on religious or moral grounds. Some states have outlawed the use of real human bodies for display without written consent. In April of this year a French court ordered the closure of the exhibition in Paris on the grounds that it offends public decency and lacks respect for the dead.

Cheryl Mure, the director of education for Premier Exhibitions, says the protests are subsiding.

“I think people now appreciate the education value of the exhibition and the information that you take away with you,” she says. “So we are hearing less and less complaints.”

The producers emphasize education. Teachers (with valid IDs) are allowed to tour “Bodies” for free on Tuesdays through the end of the year. The exhibit is a regular stop for young students as well as students of massage therapy, acupuncture and other medical disciplines.

“It’s a textbook that comes alive right in front of you,” says Mure. “It’s an unforgettable field trip for students learning about the human body and for adult students who are working with the human body. This is a great opportunity for them to see the body from inside out.”

As part of its educational efforts, Premier Exhibitions recently began a series of monthly lectures titled “Bodies ... The Wellness Series.” Doctors will discuss breast cancer and smoking in upcoming lectures.

There are only two permanent “Bodies” exhibits – New York City and Las Vegas. There are several touring exhibitions, including ones now in Atlanta, Puerto Rico, Poland and Brazil.

“We think there is interest in Las Vegas not only in being entertained but being informed, and this exhibition does both,” Mure says. “It’s enlightening and interesting. You walk away with a new insight into taking care of your own body. We think Las Vegas, which attracts visitors for around the world, is a perfect location.”