Walking in to the controversial exhibition in a private gallery space in Paris, I was curious as to what I would find inside. The exhibition is posted on buses and billboards throughout the city, and at this point, the basic concept is fairly well known. The exhibition features the human body-- using actual human bodies-- to show the inner workings and intricate systems we use everyday but never see.
I've always been fascinated by the human body. From the way the organs form to the sophisticated way in which the systems interact, it all seems impossible, yet it works.
The first body you see when walking in is laying down, encased in plexiglass-- a very comfortable way to begin. The body is cut at 1 cm intervals and laid out so you can see the bones, veins, tendons, etc. as they move through the body. It was very artistically displayed and extremely interesting. The second body, however, stands before you, like you could have a conversation with it, and I was suddenly acutely aware that, at one point, this was a person who did stand next to people and have conversations-- something much more disturbing to me. It took me a few minutes to come to terms with what I was seeing. I developed an intense respect for each of the figures before me, something not usually required in an art exhibit. As I went through the rest of the show, I read every sign and reviewed every display in an earnest desire to understand all I could from what these people had given me the opportunity to learn.
About 2/3 of the way through the exhibition, however, I was jarred back into reality when I saw the cranium of a small child. I can understand the concept of giving your own body to art and education (as odd as it seems), but as a mother I could not come to grips with how you would willingly give the body of your child to anyone. I was shocked and disappointed that it was included, especially since it didn't seem to add anything to the show-- certainly the points could have been made without it.
I left the exhibition extremely contemplative, intrigued, appalled, feeling challenged, and yet somehow inspired. I don't know that I would actively recommend the exhibition (as I think everyone should decide their comfort level for themselves), but if you're interested, know that it is artistic, informative and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to see it... this unforgettable, out-of-body experience.
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