Museum of Science and Industry

Gunther von Hagens’ BODY WORLDS 4 has been the most successful exhibition ever held at MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry), according to latest figures from the Museum. The exhibition closed on Sunday, and final figures show that 266,380 people visited between 22 February and 17 August.

The exhibition was originally scheduled to run until 29 June, but was extended due to popular demand. BODY WORLDS 4 premiered in Manchester – its only UK destination - and will now tour in Europe, starting in Brussels. Gunther von Hagens’ next exhibition to open in Britain will be Body Worlds and The Mirror of Time, which opens at the O2 Arena in London on 24 October.

BODY WORLDS 4 was popular as a learning tool for biology teachers, attracting over 20,000 school children. Dr von Hagens’ groundbreaking work in plastination (a preservation technique) also attracted large numbers of medical and sports professionals keen to see the range of healthy and diseased organs and body tissues on display.

Gunther von Hagens visited Manchester twice during the exhibition run – during the launch and for a public lecture in May. He also appeared on BBC One’s Jonathan Ross Show in March.

Steve Davies, director of MOSI said: "We are delighted that Gunther von Hagens chose to debut BODY WORLDS 4 in Manchester. It has been the most popular exhibition ever held at MOSI and one of the most talked about events in the city. We've had an overwhelmingly positive response from our guests and our visitor book is full of comments which demonstrate how the exhibition has positively affected peoples' lives, on an educational, health and spiritual level.”

He adds: “Many people came out of curiosity for Gunther von Hagen's work and left feeling genuinely inspired about the incredible complexity of the human body, and the need to look after it. It has attracted record numbers of secondary school children, because of its relevance to human biology courses, while many medical and sporting professionals took advantage of this unique chance to see such a range of specimens in one location."

BODY WORLDS is the most highly attended touring exhibition in the world, and has attracted over 25 million visitors.

Gunther von Hagens’ next exhibition in Britain is Body Worlds and The Mirror of Time, which opens at the Bubble Exhibition Space at O2 Arena in London from 24 October 2008 - 23 August 2009. To buy tickets please call 0870 4000 601.

For media information or photos please contact Sarah Roe Tel: 0161 606 0176 m: 07847 372647

 NOTES TO EDITORS

 · During Plastination, bodily fluids and soluble fats are extracted from a specimen, and replaced through vacuum-forced impregnation, with reactive resins and elastomers, such as silicon rubber.  The specimen is cured with light, heat, or certain gases, which gives it rigidity and permanence.

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