In class on Monday, we discussed how the Bodies exhibit turned the human body into a spectacle. We also briefly touched on the subject of the Mutter museum and its use of the human body as a spectacle.
While I do think that it is not okay to position the human body as a spectacle, there is also a part of me that thinks that this is unavoidable. The human body is spectacular. And whether or not we think that it is okay to put it on display, it is simply stunning when we are allowed to become voyeurs of our own existence, of our own bodies. The Bodies exhibit, allows us to see what we are unable to see from the outside. To give us a view of what we essentially are, and give us unprecedented access to the unknown. With that said I do think that The Bodies is not so much of a bad thing. I think that people are quick to label something that is so unheard of, so unprecedented with either love or disgust; there is no in between.
The Mutter Museum has long been one of these unprecedented exhibits. First opened in 1858, a doctor by the name of Thomas Dent Mütter opened the museum with his personal collection of unique materials. It has since grown to include a collection of shrunken heads, the “soap lady”, and the world’s tallest skeleton. With all those weird, unheard of exhibitions, people are often turned off by its grotesque displays. But it is not so much about the spectacle as it is about the fascination. It IS fascinating to see two headed babies and shrunken heads on display. However, there is always this stigma that perhaps this shouldn't be looked at, stared at for its scientific value because it may or may not be politically correct.
Moving forward, I believe that the hype and controversy associated with The Bodies exhibit will be over soon enough. Just like other controversial events, like abortion, stem cell research, and the Mutter Museum etc., there will always be a new affair, ready to stir both love and hate The Bodies exhibit is just another example of one of these “affairs.”
While I do think that it is not okay to position the human body as a spectacle, there is also a part of me that thinks that this is unavoidable. The human body is spectacular. And whether or not we think that it is okay to put it on display, it is simply stunning when we are allowed to become voyeurs of our own existence, of our own bodies. The Bodies exhibit, allows us to see what we are unable to see from the outside. To give us a view of what we essentially are, and give us unprecedented access to the unknown. With that said I do think that The Bodies is not so much of a bad thing. I think that people are quick to label something that is so unheard of, so unprecedented with either love or disgust; there is no in between.
The Mutter Museum has long been one of these unprecedented exhibits. First opened in 1858, a doctor by the name of Thomas Dent Mütter opened the museum with his personal collection of unique materials. It has since grown to include a collection of shrunken heads, the “soap lady”, and the world’s tallest skeleton. With all those weird, unheard of exhibitions, people are often turned off by its grotesque displays. But it is not so much about the spectacle as it is about the fascination. It IS fascinating to see two headed babies and shrunken heads on display. However, there is always this stigma that perhaps this shouldn't be looked at, stared at for its scientific value because it may or may not be politically correct.
Moving forward, I believe that the hype and controversy associated with The Bodies exhibit will be over soon enough. Just like other controversial events, like abortion, stem cell research, and the Mutter Museum etc., there will always be a new affair, ready to stir both love and hate The Bodies exhibit is just another example of one of these “affairs.”
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