Let me preface this post by saying that I'm exhausted...more exhausted than probably this guy here who has been acetoned and polymered and holding this pose for months. I had to go out of town for a couple of days on business, but it provided an opportunity for enlightenment that I would never have had otherwise. The Bodies Exhibition.

If you haven't heard about it...

"Bodies... The Exhibition examines the intricacies and complexities that lie beneath your skin through the use of a unique polymer preservation process applied to real human bodies."

It was absolutely amazing. When I returned home and attempted to relate this amazement to my daughter, I kept saying "They were real live dead people!". The simple word "cadavers" just couldn't quite impart the weight of the situation like that ridiculously improper statement could.

The exhibit begins with the skeletal system and builds (literally) with each turn of the corner, packing on more anatomical systems and more incredible body facts until it ends in a huge encased pile of skin at the end of the tour. This, incidentally, was the one thing that gave my digestive system a whirl. Strangely enough, although I was looking at cadavers and seeing "live dead" organs, I was so intrigued that it simply didn't register until...

Me to the tiny white coated bouncer-lady with the conspicuous lapel pin 'Ask Me About BODIES' : "Where did all of these cadavers come from, anyway?"

Bouncer/lady: "If you'll notice, all of these cadavers are Asian. [Chinese Dr.] gathered all of them in China. You see, China has the same law that we have. If remains are not claimed within two years of death, they become state property and are used for research. (dramatic pause) Believe it or not, [Chinese Dr.] began this project almost 30 years ago!"

First, I knew these models (may I call them that?) were small, but I simply didn't get the Asian thing. Obviously I should have.

Secondly...unclaimed remains?? UNCLAIMED REMAINS??!! I thought about unclaimed remains for hours after the tour and, frankly, I am still thinking about it. Could anything be more dismal, more disparaging than being the cadaver that time (and blood relations) forgot?

Yes, because not only were these cadavers unclaimed, but they all appeared to be unbelievably heavy smokers up to their timely (yes, all natural causes) deaths. Model after model sported perfect muscles, trim bodies, and black as coal lungs. With each turn of the corner, more dark gray lungs until it became almost comical. Were these models plucked from cancer wards? Was this an unfortunate anatomical coincidence? Did they somehow know that they would eventually be models? Or do ALL Chinese chainsmoke?

Lastly...the cardiovascular system. Walking into the room with the hearts made me sadder than anything I could ever have imagined. There they were...little hearts in their little glass encasements, shamelessly posed and paraded, the color of pre-packaged grocery store tripe. They were separated, each in its own singular side-by-side case. No other organs within three feet. I don't know how to explain the sadness of the hearts. All I can say is that you must see it yourself. There's more to discover at the BODIES exhibit than the simple truths of anatomy.

Namaste