USA: An anatomical horse and rider from the Body World exhibition goes on public display for the first time ever in New York.

Record ID: 335414

  • Title: USA: An anatomical horse and rider from the Body World exhibition goes on public display for the first time ever in New York.
  • Date: 24th July 2013
  • Summary: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (JULY 24, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS SHOTS OF ANATOMICAL HORSE AND RIDER ON DISPLAY IN TIMES SQUARE (7 SHOTS) DR.GUNTHER VON HAGEN SPEAKING TO REPORTER (SOUNDBITE) (English) DR.GUNTHER VON HAGEN, CREATOR, SAYING: "It took three years and it took about 20 people to dissect. And it's my largest piece that I've ever did and I'm very happy
  • Embargoed: 8th August 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Arts,General,Health,Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVACCB5E61T8D4Q4XE3ECOET7XHC
  • Story Text: New York's Times Square became the arena for Dr. Gunther von Hagen's largest plastination of a horse and rider.
    "It took three years and it took about 20 people to dissect. And it's my largest piece that I've ever did and I'm very happy that this marks now the beginning of a permanent house for Body Worlds," said Hagen.
    Hagen said the plastination, called "Rearing Horse and Rider" was inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's unfinished bronze sculpture horse.
    Hagen invented plastination in 1977, which is the process of preserving bodies or body parts. Plastics are used as a substitute for water and fat, with most of the elements of the original specimen being maintained. In the 1990s he began creating displays with entire bodies. For years Body Worlds was a traveling exhibit, however, his long term goal was to have a permanent home for his work.
    "First of all I'm not only an anatomist, I am a medical doctor. And as this I would say Body Worlds is probably the best thing I ever did. It really conveys to the people that it's worthwhile to live a healthy life. In this way they are living longer and a more successful life," said the 68-year-old who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease several years ago.
    "I'm still doing research in plastination but I'm not doing any more, that's the last specimen you know. I have given my leading role to my son now and I'm leaning to the exhibitions and I'm doing now research for plastination for the university kids and better teaching," he told Reuters.
    Jennifer Reich is a physician and called the specimen the perfect educational instrument.
    "Just being able to see the different levels. And you know, just the different parts of each body and separated is just outstanding. And in motion, and in motion, which is just great. And what a tool to teach the kids without it being scary," said Reich.
    Eunece Gallago also works in the medical field and was impressed with the display.
    "I took anatomy so and I'm in nursing. So I think that stuff is really cool. Just seeing how like the different muscles work and everything," said Gallago.
    The "Rearing Horse and Rider" will be part of The Body Worlds: Pulse exhibit at Discovery Times Square.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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