Hey, happy POST AP!!
Progress:
Wow... look how far we have come! First of all, I would like to thank all you readers who have continued to follow me on my museum adventure. Honestly, it feels like I have been blogging for my own personal journal rather than for an English project. However, I cannot thank my teacher, Ms. Tran, enough for assigning this project and allowing me to take this opportunity to delve deeper into the museum world. Also, I would like to give a shoutout to weebly for letting my have a place to blog! (Trust me, it is a lot faster to blog online than with paper and pen.) I would have never been able to find out what I know now if it weren't for this amazing project! :-)
Anyways, as usual, I decided to visit Bodies: The Exhibit as the last part of my museum adventure. I have always heard about this museum and seen billboards about it but even though I second thoughts about whether I should consider if a museum or not, I finally decided to come anyway. It was my last museum too so I really did not have anything to lose.
Progress:
Wow... look how far we have come! First of all, I would like to thank all you readers who have continued to follow me on my museum adventure. Honestly, it feels like I have been blogging for my own personal journal rather than for an English project. However, I cannot thank my teacher, Ms. Tran, enough for assigning this project and allowing me to take this opportunity to delve deeper into the museum world. Also, I would like to give a shoutout to weebly for letting my have a place to blog! (Trust me, it is a lot faster to blog online than with paper and pen.) I would have never been able to find out what I know now if it weren't for this amazing project! :-)
Anyways, as usual, I decided to visit Bodies: The Exhibit as the last part of my museum adventure. I have always heard about this museum and seen billboards about it but even though I second thoughts about whether I should consider if a museum or not, I finally decided to come anyway. It was my last museum too so I really did not have anything to lose.
I even thought about whether I should go to this museum or the Titanic Museum which was right next to it. But me trying not to conform and join the bandwagon, I chose the Body Museum.
Turns out I don't regret it one bit :-) When I went, there were not that many people, so I had a lot of room to check out different body parts.
So, keeping in the facts about the body in mind, I expected to see a bunch of diagrams about the body and a few educational videos here and there...you know...the typical science museum. However, I thought wrong. When we first walked in, (after paying and all that) we had to stand in front of a giant green screen that all visitors had to go to before they actually walked in. The photographer even had pose as if we were scared. When the photographer took our photo, I was wondering what they would put in the background. Anyhow, when we walked in, there were body statues everywhere...like in every room.
WARNING: The following photos are from the internet and/or yelp. Props to those who were able to take pictures because when I went, they were extremely strict on photography! There was a security in every corner.
Turns out I don't regret it one bit :-) When I went, there were not that many people, so I had a lot of room to check out different body parts.
So, keeping in the facts about the body in mind, I expected to see a bunch of diagrams about the body and a few educational videos here and there...you know...the typical science museum. However, I thought wrong. When we first walked in, (after paying and all that) we had to stand in front of a giant green screen that all visitors had to go to before they actually walked in. The photographer even had pose as if we were scared. When the photographer took our photo, I was wondering what they would put in the background. Anyhow, when we walked in, there were body statues everywhere...like in every room.
WARNING: The following photos are from the internet and/or yelp. Props to those who were able to take pictures because when I went, they were extremely strict on photography! There was a security in every corner.
It was a bit overwhelming, especially when these bodies actually belonged to someone who was alive and well. However, it is nice that they are used for educational purposes. After all, if it weren't for this museum, I would not have the chance to visit and therefore would not be able to write this blog post!
Compared to what I researched on the internet, everything at the exhibit was basically review...but in more detail! It was interesting to see the insides of a hand, for example. The room was filled with tendons and veins that are in our body parts.
Each room had its own focus! For instance, there was a room focused on the muscles, another room on the veins, a room only on fetus (keep reading!), and so much more. It was nice to see how much work was put into this exhibit.
So starting with the muscles, the exhibit showed that we use our muscles for everything. We use our muscles from picking up a pencil to blinking once. I would have never thought little details in each body part were so important. This exhibit really helped me see what our body was made up of. After all, our skin (thankfully) is preventing us from seeing what is really inside.
Compared to what I researched on the internet, everything at the exhibit was basically review...but in more detail! It was interesting to see the insides of a hand, for example. The room was filled with tendons and veins that are in our body parts.
Each room had its own focus! For instance, there was a room focused on the muscles, another room on the veins, a room only on fetus (keep reading!), and so much more. It was nice to see how much work was put into this exhibit.
So starting with the muscles, the exhibit showed that we use our muscles for everything. We use our muscles from picking up a pencil to blinking once. I would have never thought little details in each body part were so important. This exhibit really helped me see what our body was made up of. After all, our skin (thankfully) is preventing us from seeing what is really inside.
Moving on to the other room that focused on veins. There were even instructions on their process of preservation. It turns out the the process is more complex than I imagined.
Despite the colorfulness from the lungs, it was really cool to see the structure of the veins that help make our veins. In a way, the entire exhibit is just like a an art museum.
If you see, the statues are posing in a specific way and the veins are really vibrant in color.
I remember when I first walked into the vein room, the first thing I said was, "whoa!" Honestly, it took me about 3 seconds before realizing that I was still in the body exhibit. Anyways, it was cool seeing what they do to the bodies so that visitors like me could enjoy! :- )
Despite the colorfulness from the lungs, it was really cool to see the structure of the veins that help make our veins. In a way, the entire exhibit is just like a an art museum.
If you see, the statues are posing in a specific way and the veins are really vibrant in color.
I remember when I first walked into the vein room, the first thing I said was, "whoa!" Honestly, it took me about 3 seconds before realizing that I was still in the body exhibit. Anyways, it was cool seeing what they do to the bodies so that visitors like me could enjoy! :- )
My favorite part of the entire museum was the fact that there was a place where you could throw away your pack of cigarettes (either people actually threw them away or it became a convenient trashcan to throw away their empty boxes, who knows). I really liked this part because it makes me people (who are just deciding to start) think twice about their actions. I was really surprised with the amount of boxes that were at the bottom. Props to those who actually stopped because of this museum! Nevertheless, I really liked the idea because it promotes anti-smoking and a healthy body and I think it was a great idea to include this in the exhibit. In addition, I thought it was an excellent way to wrap up the museum.
If the clear, giant box was not convincing enough, there was even a lung that was fine and healthy and a smoker's lung right next to it for comparison. The smoker's lung looked black and stained, which made me sure that I will never smoke in the near future.
Everything we do, little or big, will affect our bodies. I don't think most people realize that. It can be especially threatening when the person gets addicted and cannot stop. Overtime, it may be too late to stop and the person's body cannot function without whatever they are addicted.
If the clear, giant box was not convincing enough, there was even a lung that was fine and healthy and a smoker's lung right next to it for comparison. The smoker's lung looked black and stained, which made me sure that I will never smoke in the near future.
Everything we do, little or big, will affect our bodies. I don't think most people realize that. It can be especially threatening when the person gets addicted and cannot stop. Overtime, it may be too late to stop and the person's body cannot function without whatever they are addicted.
Now...on to the part that I was most excited for...and the part that may be most controversial...the fetus! We were all once a fetus, but sadly, these fetus had problems and were not able to fully develop and continue growing. I really liked this room because there was an entire row of these cylinder tubes and it showed the size of the fetus according to how old it was in weeks. (Let's just say I had a great time running back and forth to compare the sizes of the fetus from week 3 all the way to week 17). It was interesting to pass by this room because I got to see what we looked like at certain points in time. Honestly, I think I spent the most time in this room because it was just so fascinating. As I walked down the room, the age of weeks increased and therefore the bigger the fetus grew.
Eventually, it was getting closer to the closing time and therefore I had to start leaving. :(
Eventually, it was getting closer to the closing time and therefore I had to start leaving. :(
Reflection:
And that is all to my last museum visit! (for now). I had an amazing time here learning about science, which is actually one of my worst subjects. I never thought I would be this fascinated by a museum. This museum really opened my eyes and showed me that museums are only about some art sculptures or cultures.
The exhibit also made me realize how amazing our bodies are. Especially when it heals our wounds and protects us against diseases and virus. Most people take their body for granted and I think that is truly unfortunate. Our bodies are made to protect us and help us live healthy lives but most people do not care about their bodies and then they damage it to the point where doctors or even surgery cannot cure it.
Anyways, back to the museum...I realized that this exhibit is actually controversial. It has been said that these bodies once belonged to Chinese political prisoners who were killed by the government for their differeing beliefs. People who were against these exhibits believe that these prisoners had their bodies sold for unethical reasons and should not be placed in a museum even if it was for educational purposes. They also believe it is a "violation against humanity" (azpm).
I truly did not realized that this museum had problems until I came upon these pictures which my curiosity led to extra research. It shows me that there are pros and cons in everything you do. However, it also shows me that you cannot please everyone. If these rumors are true and that these bodies actually belong to Chinese political prisoners, then I totally agree with these activists. We should not keep these bodies if there is not a legal death certificate. I think this does go against basic human rights. In addition, I am sure if the family of these deceased found out that these bodies were of their loved ones, then they would not be happy either.
And that is all to my last museum visit! (for now). I had an amazing time here learning about science, which is actually one of my worst subjects. I never thought I would be this fascinated by a museum. This museum really opened my eyes and showed me that museums are only about some art sculptures or cultures.
The exhibit also made me realize how amazing our bodies are. Especially when it heals our wounds and protects us against diseases and virus. Most people take their body for granted and I think that is truly unfortunate. Our bodies are made to protect us and help us live healthy lives but most people do not care about their bodies and then they damage it to the point where doctors or even surgery cannot cure it.
Anyways, back to the museum...I realized that this exhibit is actually controversial. It has been said that these bodies once belonged to Chinese political prisoners who were killed by the government for their differeing beliefs. People who were against these exhibits believe that these prisoners had their bodies sold for unethical reasons and should not be placed in a museum even if it was for educational purposes. They also believe it is a "violation against humanity" (azpm).
I truly did not realized that this museum had problems until I came upon these pictures which my curiosity led to extra research. It shows me that there are pros and cons in everything you do. However, it also shows me that you cannot please everyone. If these rumors are true and that these bodies actually belong to Chinese political prisoners, then I totally agree with these activists. We should not keep these bodies if there is not a legal death certificate. I think this does go against basic human rights. In addition, I am sure if the family of these deceased found out that these bodies were of their loved ones, then they would not be happy either.
Well...it seems that I have reached the end of my last post. All I have to do now is present my findings to my class (basically all 12 blogs in a presentation) in a TED talk style. I will miss blogging for a while until I have time to continue visiting museums on my own free time. (Although, I do feel like I have basically visited the all the different types of museums!) Please let me know if you would still like my to blog my museum findings. Who know, I may even start video blogging?? Your suggestions will be appreciated! So, again, I would like to thank all you readers for your support. It truly means a lot to me. As for now, wish me good luck on my TED talk presentation!! :- )
Sincerely,
Kelly <3
Work Cited:
https://www.azpm.org/s/4803-activists-opposed-to-bodies-exhibit-mark-departure/
Sincerely,
Kelly <3
Work Cited:
https://www.azpm.org/s/4803-activists-opposed-to-bodies-exhibit-mark-departure/