Body Worlds and the Cycle of Life Exhibition

This internationally renowned ground-breaking exhibition featuring human remains makes its African premiere

The African premiere of the innovative anatomical exhibition Body Worlds and the Cycle of Life comes to Cape Town for a three-month long showing at the Future Exotics Showroom (next to Toy Kingdom) at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town from Wednesday, 31 October 2012 to Sunday, 10 March 2013.

Developed by acclaimed, albeit controversial, anatomist Dr Gunther von Hagens, the ground-breaking showcase displays real human bodies, individual organs, organ configurations and transparent body slices flawlessly preserved thanks to a revolutionary method known as plastination.

Aside from providing basic anatomical and physiological insight, this exciting and somewhat macabre journey under the skin also illustrates the effects of certain life-threatening diseases and addictions (tobacco and alcohol consumption) by juxtaposing healthy organs and diseased organs. First presented in Tokyo in 1995, the Body Worlds exhibition series has since travelled to 70 cities around the world and been seen by over 35 million people.

While the previous Body Worlds exhibits delved into the complexity of the brain and heart and explored how humans develop and age, this Body Worlds and the Cycle of Life exhibition showcases the intricacy, flexibility and susceptibility of our bodies through the anatomical study of how humans react in distress, illness and good health.

Dogged by controversy in the past – we’ll leave the ethical debate up to you – the Body Worlds exhibition will feature over 200 plastinate specimens (real human bodies) – sourced legally from a body donation programme – as well as a few animals. While the obvious aim of the display is to educate the public about the inner workings of the body, the collection also looks to advocate for positive lifestyle choices (by showing the negative effects of addiction) and to encourage children’s interest in life sciences. Whether you’re a doctor, student of anatomy or just curious, one thing is certain, this exhibition is one you don’t want to miss.

Ticketing for and Opening Times of Body Worlds Exhibition Cape Town

The exhibit will be open every day from 9am to 7:30pm (last admission) and doors close an hour and a half after the last admission – including on the Day of Reconciliation and on Family Day. Note that on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, doors will open at 9am and the last admission will be at 4pm and on New Year’s Day doors will open at 12pm and the last admission will be at 7:30pm.

Tickets are available through Webtickets.co.za, and advanced booking of tickets is highly recommended. Tickets cost R140p/p for adults, a discounted price of R110p/p is available for seniors (60+) and students, children between 6 and 17 years of age pay R90p/p and children under six enter for free. Save on the family ticket (two adults and two children) and only pay R400. For group discounts and tickets contact +27 (0) 21 418 4115.

The exhibition is absolutely child-appropriate; there is no minimum age required for entrance but adult supervision for children under the age of 10 is required.

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