bodies the exhibition

Amazing exhibit of the human body at South Street Seaport. The exhibit is divided into the the skeleton (bones), the muscular, the arteries and veins, cardiovascular, the neurological, the brain, heart, lungs, intestines, digestion, birth and diseases. It uses dead Chinese bodies that have been chemically treated for preservation. It shows the bodies performing various movements like playing basket ball, running, playing in an orchestra. This shows the movement of the muscles and bones. The brain is also very well described by cutting cross sections of it and showing the different components that perform various functions. The growth of the fetus was fascinating. Tiny fetuses were shown developing bones, muscles and blood vessels in the first 36 weeks. The effects of smoking were portrayed through blackened lungs. Obesity was well documented by showing the effect it has on the entire body. Lots of children were at the show, a sign of their parents openness to understand and explain the various processes and functions of the organs. It also made the children feel unafraid of the body.
It takes 10 hours for food to be digested.
Most of our DNA is similar to the next person. We are only 0.09% different from the most different person from us.
Some Buddhists are thinking of using the space to do charnel ground meditation. The exhibit made me think of the Buddhist concept of seeing people as skeletons, and learning about impermanence through that method. It really worked while looking at the exhibit, everyone began to be similarly composed of skull, bones and muscles jiggling around, in my mind. And death was seen as just a decomposition of the body to liberate the soul.
No photography was allowed, but here's a link to the guardian that has images on its site.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/gall/0,,669680,00.html