(Saint Paul, MN) This summer, visitors to the Science Museum of Minnesota will experience the human body in all its elegance and complexity as Saint Paul hosts the Upper Midwest debut of Gunther von Hagens' BODY WORLDS: The Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human Bodies from May 5 through September 4, 2006. This world-renowned exhibit will give visitors an unprecedented opportunity to learn about anatomy, physiology, and health by viewing real human bodies that have been preserved through a remarkable process called Plastination.
BODY WORLDS, which has been seen by 18 million people worldwide, is the largest touring exhibit the Science Museum has ever hosted and city officials are expecting nearly a half million visitors to come to see it.
"We are thrilled that the BODY WORLDS exhibit will be coming to Saint Paul this spring, and we are preparing for hundreds of thousands of visitors to come see the exhibit and enjoy the many other attractions Saint Paul has to offer," said Brad Toll, VP of Tourism and Marketing for the Saint Paul RiverCentre Convention and Visitors Authority (SPRCVA). "Our experiences in hosting America's Smithsonian Exhibition in 1996 and the Titanic Artifact Exhibition in 1999 have proven that visitors who come for these landmark cultural exhibits enjoy themselves thoroughly, spending money on restaurants, shopping and lodging and become repeat visitors to the city."
The SPRVCA is planning to offer special lodging packages during the run of the exhibit. Specific ticket and package details will be available at www.visitsaintpaul.com.
Over 200 authentic human species including 25 full body poses will be included in the exhibit The Plastination process, invented by Dr. Gunther von Hagens, replaces fluids of real specimens with liquid reactive plastics. Before hardening, the Plastinates are fixed into extraordinary lifelike poses, depicting athletic moves such as swimming, running or playing soccer and basketball. The exhibit also allows visitors to view side by side comparisons of healthy and diseased organs (a healthy lung with that of a smoker, a disease-free liver and one showing cirrhosis, for example), detail the body's complex anatomy and numerous systems - including the locomotive, digestive, nervous, and vascular systems - and even chronicle the development of life in the woman. This is the only anatomical exhibition that relies on the generosity of body donors, who have bequeathed that, upon their death, their bodies could be used for educational purposes in the exhibition.
"At the Science Museum, we know that real, authentic experiences provide the most meaningful learning opportunities," remarks Science Museum president Dr. Eric J. Jolly. "BODY WORLDS affords us a very memorable and powerful chance to help our visitors build awareness of how our bodies function and how our lifestyle choices affect our good health and well-being."
The exhibit will run from May 5 through September 4. Extended museum hours for the run of the exhibit will be Monday through Saturday 9:30 am to 9 pm and Sunday 11 am to 7 pm. Tickets for BODY WORLDS will go on sale to the public on Wednesday, February 1, 2006, and may be purchased via phone (651-221-9444), online at www.smm.org, or in person at the Science Museum's Box Office. Admission into the Science Museum and BODY WORLDS is $22 for adults; $12.50 for kids ages 4 to 12; $16 for youth ages 13 to 18, students and seniors. Discounts are available for Science Museum members, groups of 15 or more, and individuals with limited incomes. All tickets for the exhibit will be timed so before making a purchase, visitors must select the date and time they plan to visit. For media information please visit www.visitsaintpaul.com.
PLEASE NOTE: Images of BODY WORLDS for media use are available upon request. Please visit http://www.mediasmm.org for more information. For access to BODY WORLDS b-roll, please contact Sarah Imholte at (651) 221-9412 or [email protected].
Experience the human body in all its
More Saint Paul Summer Events:
Saint Paul will also host the 2006 VISA Championships, which will select the national American gymnastics men's and women's champions at the Xcel Energy Center August 16-19. The third annual Saint Paul Inline Marathon will take place along Shepard Road and downtown streets August 19th. The American Queen, the largest, most elaborate vessel in the fleet of the Delta Queen Steamboat Company will offer a circle cruise from Saint Paul departing August 18 and returning August 21, with stops in Red Wing and Winona.
TRACES is a non-profit organization created to gather, preserve and present stories of Midwesterners' experiences during World War II and their encounters with Germans and Austrians both in the U.S. and abroad. The permanent exhibit in the Landmark Center showcases several aspects of German and American encounters, both familiar and virtually unknown.
We Gotta Bingo! This new interactive comedy, staged by Actors Theater Company of MN, is held in Saint Paul's new Lowry Theater, conveniently located downtown Saint Paul in the historic Lowry Building across from The Saint Paul Hotel and Rice Park. Includes dinner catered by Pazzaluna Restaurant.
Summer Festivals on Harriet Island and throughout Saint Paul
Cinco de Mayo, Distict del Sol, May 5-6
Melaleuca Freedom Celebration, Harriet Island, May 29
Flint Hills International Children's Festival, Ordway Center, June 3-4
Grand Old Day, June 4
Saint Paul Blues Festival, Raspberry Island, June 17
Juneteenth, June 18
Back to the ‘50s Car Show, State Fairgrounds, June 23-25.
Taste of Minnesota Festival, Harriet Island, June 30- July 4
Dragon Festival and Boat Races, Lake Phalen, July 8-9
Rondo Days, celebrating Saint Paul's African American community, July 15-16
County Market Rockin' Ribfest, Harriet Island, July 27-30
Circus Juventas, Highland Park, the first two weeks in August
Irish Fair of Minnesota, Harriet Island August 11-13
The Twin Cities Black Film Festival, August 18-20
Minnesota State Fair, State Fairgrounds, August 24-Sept 4
For a complete listing of festivals, special events or theatrical performances visit www.visitsaintpaul.com.
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