Gunther von Hagens, whose ‘Body Worlds’ exhibitions of preserved and dissected human and animal bodies attracted some 58 million visitors over thirty years, has died.
The self-proclaimed ‘Dr Death’ developed his plastination method to preserve anatomical tissue in 1977 at the University of Heidelberg, a technique that removes the fluids from the body and replaces them with plastics that harden, but it wasn’t until 1995 that the first Body Worlds show opened in Tokyo. The exhibitions – which typically feature the preserved corpses in a variety of arrangements, as well as bodies cut through to show their internal organs – have since been staged in 168 cities worldwide.
‘I underestimated how long it would take for plastination to be a
success. But more significantly I underestimated how big the success would be,’ von Hagens said.
The doctor’s shows have attracted considerable controversy and the attention of legislators worldwide. Von Hagens maintained that all the corpses were obtained ethically and legally, but previous reported incidents have included the bodies of executed Chinese prisoners finding their way to his laboratory in Guben, Germany, and in 2002 two Russian doctors were alleged to have supplied 56 corpses and more than 400 brain parts of dubious origin for plastination. At the time Van Hagens said he received the bodies in good faith and none were used in exhibits.
He also defended the ethics of showing the graphic material for a paying audience, emphasising an educational value: ‘When you can see beneath your skin you can see how fragile you are.’
The majority of the organic material was received from donors, with more than 19,000 consenting to their bodies being used.
It is understood the body of von Hagens will join them.
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