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Body Worlds opens at the Arizona Science Center

Posted by Editor On January - 21 - 2011

Three years after BODY WORLDS brought record crowds to the Arizona Science Center, a new blockbuster exhibition, Gunther von Hagens’ BODY WORLDS & The Brain, will open to the public Friday, January 21 in the Sybil B. Harrington Galleries. For the first time in Phoenix, this new presentation of BODY WORLDS contains a special feature that unravels the mystery of the mind and secret world of the brain.

“BODY WORLDS & The Brain provides Arizona Science Center with a unique opportunity to enhance our outstanding educational programs and enrich people’s understanding of their bodies,” said Chevy Humphrey, President & CEO. “Visitors will encounter both the resilience and fragility of the human body, discovering how a body works when it is healthy and how it breaks down when it is not. Through its aesthetic and accessible displays, BODY WORLDS invites contemplation, study and reflection of the power and vulnerability of the human body by everyone.”

For this special presentation of BODY WORLDS, Dr. Gunther von Hagens, inventor of the Plastination process and creator the exhibitions and his wife, Dr. Angelina Whalley, conceptual planner and creative designer of the exhibitions, have created a holistic meditation on the brain that merges anatomy, neuroscience, and philosophy that resonates with everyone. “The brain is an incredible marvel of engineering. I wanted people to recognize what is known about this amazing gem inside our heads, and be awed by its possibilities and capacities,” said Dr. von Hagens.

Don’t take our word for it, check out what other people had to say about BODY WORLDS.

“What an OUTSTANDING exhibit! I am a firefighter/paramedic and EMS instructor. I have attended numerous autopsy labs and got more out of the three hours in BODY WORLDS. Dr. von Hagens should be commended for his work!”

— Mike

“Fabulous Exhibition! Reality is much more than fiction. But here it’s dramaturgy and the atralisation and re-creation of reality. Marvelous. Unique. Definitely to see many times. So inspiring.”

– Jean-Paul Gaultier, London

“Thank you for such an important exhibit. What a wonderful way to learn.”

– Nicole Kidman, Los Angeles

“We drove 300 miles to see this exhibit and it was worth every mile! This is an excellent opportunity to view human anatomy in all its detail and glory.”

— Caryn

“Absolutely remarkable! A gift of exploration that everyone except the faint hearted should see…thank you.”

– Demi Moore, Los Angeles

Event FAQ

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE EXHIBITION?

BODY WORLDS aims to educate the public about the inner workings of the human body and show the effects of poor health, good health, and lifestyle choices. It is also presented in the hopes that it will stimulate curiosity about the science of anatomy.

COULDN’T I LEARN JUST AS MUCH FROM BOOKS OR MODELS OF HUMAN ANATOMY?

Real human bodies show the details of disease and anatomy that cannot be shown with models. They also allow us to understand how each body has its own unique features, even on the inside.

WHERE DID THE SPECIMENS ON DISPLAY COME FROM? WILL WE KNOW WHO THE PLASTINATES ARE OR HOW THEY DIED?

The BODY WORLDS exhibitions rely on the generosity of body donors; individuals who bequeathed that, upon their death, their bodies could be used for educational purposes in the exhibition. All of the full-body plastinates and the majority of the specimens are from these body donors; some specific specimens that show unusual conditions and fetuses on display come from old anatomical collections and morphological institutes. As agreed upon by the body donors, their identities and causes of death are not provided. The exhibition focuses on the nature of our bodies, not on providing personal information.

WHAT IS PLASTINATION?

Invented by scientist and anatomist Dr. Gunther von Hagens in 1977, Plastination is the groundbreaking method of halting decomposition and preserving anatomical specimens for scientific and medical education. Plastination is the process of extracting all bodily fluids and soluble fat from specimens, replacing them through vacuum-forced impregnation with reactive resins and elastomers, and then curing them with light, heat, or certain gases, which give the specimens rigidity and permanence.

WILL I BE ABLE TO TOUCH ANY OF THE PLASTINATES?

While visitors are able to get very close to the plastinates, they are not allowed to touch them.

WHY ARE THE PLASTINATES POSED THE WAY THEY ARE?

The poses of the plastinates have been carefully thought out and serve educational aims. Each plastinate is posed to illustrate different anatomical features. For instance, the athletic poses illustrate the use of muscle systems while playing sports. The poses allow visitors to relate the plastinates to their own bodies.

IS THIS EXHIBITION APPROPRIATE FOR CHILDREN?

More than 32 million people, including young children, have viewed the BODY WORLDS exhibitions around the world. It is important to note that the exhibition includes full-body plastinates with exposed genitals. Children under 17 must be accompanied by responsible adults during their visit.

CAN I TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS OR FILM IN THE EXHIBITION?

Photography and filming, including pictures taken with cell phones, are not allowed in BODY WORLDS, except by accredited members of the media.

Popularity: 20% [?]

Fun things to do to beat the heat!

Posted by Editor On May - 20 - 2009

A friend suggested that we should have a list of places to go to beat the heat.

So we got to thinking (I do that sometimes).

We can just as easily come up with a list of the things that you can do to beat the heat like all the other publications in the area are doing right now. The list would probably consist of the things that everyone else is going to do like go to the air conditioned malls in the area and to the public pools that are more than likely a shade of yellow than blue with all the kids peeing in it.

Wouldn’t you rather do something else that might actually be fun?

Well here’s a brief list of things to do to beat the heat:

1a) Go see a Movie in a theater – Yeah, this may fall under the realm of ‘everyone else is doing it’ but it’s a great way to get out of the heat and get entertained in the process.

1b) Rent a Movie at home – There are so many options now for you to easily get a movie like Netflix, Red Box, and even Blockbuster why not stay in the comfort of your own home with some friends and have some fun.

1c) Watch a movie online – More and more websites are putting full length movies online for free.  Check out hulu.com and YouTube.com for the best selection of movies to watch online.

2) Gelato – Everyone is probably going to be heading to Baskin-Robbins, Cold Stone, Dairy Queen, etc why not go out and get Gelato?!?!  Check out the Gelato Spot for some of the best Gelato this side of italy.   Check out their website for the locations nearest you:  http://www.gelatospot.com/

3) Float down the Salt River – Now is the time to head over to the Salt River for some relaxing and refreshing intertube river floating.  For more information on one of the greatest ways to stay cool in the heat, check out the Salt River Tubing website:  http://www.saltrivertubing.com/

4) Take a Trip out of town for the weekend – Phoenix is pretty close to many major cities outside of Arizona and other destinations within Arizona it’s hard not to take advantage of so many options.  Places you could go can be San Diego, Los Angeles, Flagstaff, Taos, Las Vegas, Sedona, and so on….

5) Head to a Museum – Why not check out some of the best places that Phoenix has to offer in Museums.  For example, the Arizona Science Center is a great destination to get out of the heat.  http://www.azscience.org/

6a) Take in a Game – Baseball – Taking in an Arizona Diamondbacks game is the best way to beat the heat as the roof is closed when the temprature outside is unbearable.  http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com

6b) Taken in a tour of Chase Field – When the Diamondbacks are on the road, why not take in a tour of Chase Field?  Tickets are only $6 http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/ari/ballpark/ari_ballpark_tour.jsp

6c) Take in a Game – Basketball – A new season of Phoenix Mercury Basketball is just about underway and taking in a game is a great way to beat the heat.  http://www.wnba.com/mercury

7a) Indoors Activities – Rock Climbing – Want to beat the heat and exercise at the same time?  Try indoor Rock Climbing.  http://www.phoenixrockgym.com/PRG/main.html

7b) Indoors Activities – Cart Racing – Try racing Go-Karts indoors!  http://www.f1racefactory.com/

7c) Indoors Activities – Laser Tag – There are two places you can go to play indoor laser tag while beating the heat.  Laser Quest in Mesa and in Phoenix are the perfect places to go and have some fun out of the heat.  Phoenix Location: http://www.laserquest.com/Locations/USALocations.aspx?cntr=Phoenix Mesa Location:  http://www.laserquest.com/Locations/USALocations.aspx?cntr=Mesa

8) Ice in the Pool – Now this one is more fun than anything but have you ever thought about getting about 10 or 20 blocks of ice, throwing them in your pool and then jumping in when the water temperature cools down?

Popularity: 10% [?]

Top 9 things to do for the week ending May 7th, 2009

Posted by Editor On May - 1 - 2009

1) A Taste of Greece – May 1st, 2nd, and 3rd – Tempe Beach Park – Come on out to a great cultural event this weekend!

http://www.atasteofgreeceaz.com/

2) The Dave Matthews Band – May 6th – Cricket Wireless Pavilion – Tickets still available at all Live Nation Outlets. Guaranteed to be a great show and an excellent pick for this week.

http://www.livenation.com/edp/eventId/402630/

3) Movies under the Stars #3 – WaterDance Film Festival – Westgate City Center – 8:00 PM – Free – The Steven Spielberg classic, Jaws will be playing

http://www.azvibe.com/phoenix-entertainment/2009/04/23/westgate-city-center-hosts-the-first-annual-waterdance-film-festival/

4) Movies in the Park with ‘From Russia With Love’ – Fridays Through April – Biltmore Fashion Park – Speaking of Movies how about heading to the Biltmore Fashion Park and watching the classic 007 Movie ‘From Russia With Love’? The fun starts at 7:30 at the Center Lawn of the Biltmore Fashion Park. Oh yeah. It’s Free.

http://www.azvibe.com/phoenix-entertainment/2009/04/23/movies-in-the-park-biltmore-fashion-park-free/ http://www.shopbiltmore.com/events.asp?id=9160

5) Star Trek Exhibition at the Arizona Science Center – How cool is it when you get to not only sit in Captain Kirk’s chair but check out the bridge from the Enterprise D? Open Daily. Please refer to the link below for hours and ticket information.  Closes soon!!

http://www.azscience.org/star_trek.php

6) Shake! – Every Saturday Night – Rogue Bar – Scottsdale – $5 (approx) If you are a frequent reader of this site you know that one of the best places to go on a Saturday night is Shake!. Great Music and fun for a great price!

http://www.azvibe.com/phoenix-entertainment/2008/10/27/review-shake-the-rogue-saturday-october-25th/

7) FUSE – Bar Smith – Friday Nights – $5 – Bar Smith – Downtown Phoenix – 10PM – 2 AM

8) Arizona Diamondbacks – Chase Field – That’s right folks! Another season of Arizona Diamondbacks baseball is underway! Come and see your Diamondbacks take on some of the best teams in the league and battle their way to the playoffs! Tickets can be purchased through the Arizona Diamondbacks website:

http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/ticketing/index.jsp?c_id=ari

9) First Friday! – Downtown Phoenix – How can you miss this?!?!?

Popularity: 5% [?]



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