Gunther von Hagens

[theapportioner]

You know, the guy who plastinates bodies and exhibits them. Thoughts?

http://www.koerperwelten.com/index2.htm

[Helm]

Shock art. I wonder if it smells of death at his exhibitions.

[Anonymous]

I think what he does is fantastic. I'd really love to actually see one of his exhibits.

And just because it is shocking to some people I would definately not classify it as "shock art".

[Ninjavenom]

I don't think it's shocking at all. I like the idea, and i also would like to go see one of his exhibits. The Morbid Collection or whatever is something of the same sort i'd pay to see.

[Jixby Phillips]

THAT IS FANTASTIC, FUCK MY ORGAN DONER STICKER, I'M REPLACING IT WITH AN "ART" STICKER

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't really say it's art, it's more like science. Full body donation for the purpose of education. He is bringing it to museums for the purpose of also educating the general public, but is also helpful to medical professionals and students. Much like the Mutter musuem and other's like it - just a traveling exhibit.
And sure if you are going to give your body up for science you have a good point to say it should go to organ donation, but if you die outside of a hospital or if you die from cancer your organs aren't eligible for transplants, so why not do a whole body donation for educational purposes?

[Helm]

And just because it is shocking to some people I would definately not classify it as "shock art"

Huh? I think that's exactly the definition of shock art.

[James]

"Shock art" is really more of a deliberate way to get attention through controvery (like that picture of the Virgin Mary made from shit). This guy is just doing his thing. If it were shock art, I think more poeple would know who he is, or more would be up in arms against it.

Personally, I like his work. I remember seeing some of it when I watched a special on the Mutter Museum in Germany.

Side note: NEVER watch the special on the Mutter Museum. It even made me feel a little ill, and I can handle almost everything.

[Mockery]

"Shock art" is really more of a deliberate way to get attention through controvery (like that picture of the Virgin Mary made from shit). This guy is just doing his thing.

Exactly. Marilyn Manson is a "shock artist", doing everything he can to try to get people all riled up. This guy is not. He's just one talented mofo.

Side note: NEVER watch the special on the Mutter Museum. It even made me feel a little ill, and I can handle almost everything.

Screw the special, it was right down the block from where we used to live. We got to see the world's largest colon in person!

[theapportioner]

A guy in the lab next to mine used to work for the artist. A coworker of mine finds the guy irritating because he's so self-promoting. He sparked controversy partly because he got homeless guys to donate their bodies -- for money or not, I'm not sure.

[James]

Originally Posted by Mockery

Screw the special, it was right down the block from where we used to live. We got to see the world's largest colon in person!

When did you live in Germany? :/

[Pub Lover]

Arrrr, the secret comes out!

[mburbank]

The Mutter Museum is in Philidelphia.

I would totally donate my coprse to this guy, but I hear the waiting list is VERY long.

I think this is a perfect melding of art and science. I think the best Museum work always is.

[Dole]

They had his live 'autopsy' on TV here a few months ago. The chap did come across as a bit odd.. The worst thing about it was the bloke he was cutting up was rather fat, and all the body fat congeals into this pus-like thick yellow stuff. URGH. And supposedly he now wants to exhibit corpses shagging. If he gets the go-ahead, I think he should call the exhibit 'The adventures of Dolly Deathfuck'.

[mburbank]

Oh, I'm sure he's more than a little off. I don't think the concept, let alone the practice, would even occur to you unless you were more than a little demented. But the mentally disturbed often create great art.

[glowbelly]

then i'm a shoe in!

[mburbank]

I had a shoe in once. My doctor gave me an ointment that dissolved it painlessly.