By: Grace Chang and Kelly Lue
“Body Worlds” has been a traveling exhibit for the past couple of years, and now it has become a semi-permanent exhibit at the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose. Renamed “Body Worlds Decoded,” the Tech Museum has introduced a high-tech twist to the anatomy-themed exhibit’s features as well, fit for the Silicon Valley.
In addition to its original displays, preserved organisms called “plastinates,” the Tech Museum employs the use of augmented reality (AR) to make the exhibit much more interactive. With the inclusion of AR, guests are able to roam “Body Worlds Decoded” with a tablet equipped with a program called “Iris,” which allows visitors to see animated, more in-depth explanations of each anatomical showcase.
AR isn’t the only technological addition to the exhibit. The “Anatomage” makes up another modern portion of the exhibit. As a display set off to the side of “Body Worlds Decoded,” the “Anatomage” is run by museum staff and volunteers, where they teach visitors about human anatomy by using an interactive table and television screens.
Although I found the exhibit to be quite immersive and enjoyable, “Body Worlds Decoded” does evoke some feelings of discomfort. Because plastinates are completely real, preserved bodies, guests may have a hard time viewing the remarkably eerie-looking displays. The Tech Museum takes precautions and advises visitors who are sensitive or easily frightened to view the plastinates at their own discretion.
Despite being potentially disturbing, “Body Worlds Decoded” truly makes an old exhibit innovatively modern. The addition of easy-to-use augmented reality makes the exhibit more engaging and is attractive to people of all ages. If you’re looking for a unique educational experience, “Body Worlds Decoded” should definitely be on your list of attractions to visit.
