Von Hagen

[Elitist Indie Hipster]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A804322

Is there any merrit to what this guy does scientifically? Sure. But from this article at the same time it doesnt seem like it. Should he be stopped? Is it proper ?

Discuss.

And if you can get pictures post them, because i couldnt find any good ones that really show what its like.

Edited January 8, 2006 by Indie

[Galkar]

While I would never want to see it, if the people agreed then I see no moral problem.

[Elitist Indie Hipster]

What exactly did the people agree to though? to be used for science? or to be used as a 3D Salvador Dali painting? that i wonder? for scientific purposes i think its fine, but for art? i find that disrespectful and disgusting.

[Gundampilotspaz]

If they wantoo, then their bodies become art.

[Poophy]

In bad taste maybe, but art non-the less. And I personally believe that if people go to see it, that makes it good art… I have no personally problems with this, let people do what they wont with there bodies, whether there alive or dead

[darkon]

I'd want my body to be donated to art after I die.

[Venom112]

On one hand this could potentially continue to increase in popularity, and as fads dictate, more and more will subscribe to this method after death. This naturally would continue to decrease the number of bodies that may have gone to other scientific and donation-like ventures. However, organ donations are against the laws of nature, so religious folk will likely get up in arms about it either way. The body itself upon death is useless to the individual that used it, so the concept of respect is something that isn't to be worried about, because the person won't know about the disrespect. Family and acquaintences would naturally use symbolism to relate a body to the concept of the person who used the body, which while foolish, is inevitable.

Other than the small problem of decreasing bodies to science, well, there really isn't any. People will claim it isn't art, such as the author of the article, because they don't agree with it, but it is in fact, art. Kind of like advanced wax figures. The consequence I can see to this is that some will see the body and consider the past of the person, which could grant an immortality of sorts by living on in the minds of the curious. Anyway, considering people are agreeing to the method, I see little problem. Sure, the body may have been used for organ donation, but there is a likely chance it would have just gone to rot in the ground, where worms and such would go to work on the body once the casket wore down enough (or burned to ashes, whatever).

All I know is I like this Gunther von Hagen. He sounds like maniacal mad scientist from all the tales.

[margot]

I'd want my body to be donated to art after I die.

[Makil]

I'd want my body to be donated to art after I die.

[Elitist Indie Hipster]

I mean disrespectuful to the family, perhaps they were havign a hard time dealing with this persons death. Then all of a sudden they find out hes a fucking drawer, and its getting rubbed in their face. Even if they dont see it, there still the fact that someone is getting amusement over their lost loved one. Even if they knew he agreed to be used for art. I find that twisted. I do like the idea of him using bodies to demonstrate the use and positioning of organs. but when he turns someone into a drawer then i think it is giong to far. Sure he is a genius for discovering plastination or whatever but i think it should have limits as to what he does with them, even if they do donate their bodies to art or science. Whats next ? a vending machine that sells condoms with a penis right above the keypad and a head staring at you from the top with automatic flailing arms? sure why not? someone lived out their lifelong dream of becoming a dresser.

[Kreutz]

I'd want my body to return to the Earth after I die, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, etc.

[Venom112]

I mean disrespectuful to the family, perhaps they were havign a hard time dealing with this persons death. Then all of a sudden they find out hes a fucking drawer, and its getting rubbed in their face. Even if they dont see it, there still the fact that someone is getting amusement over their lost loved one. Even if they knew he agreed to be used for art. I find that twisted.

So you're more for the wishes of the people close to the person, rather than letting the actual person themself decide what to do with their body?

[Elitist Indie Hipster]

Alright, well if someone is sick in the hospital and want to die, whya rent they allowed to? i mean if they want to they should be able to right? but it actually is seen as not right and immoral. Even though its the wishes of the person it cant be done.

[Ceraziefish]

I'd want my body to be donated to... Fuck that, I'm going to live forever.

[Venom112]

Alright, well if someone is sick in the hospital and want to die, whya rent they allowed to? i mean if they want to they should be able to right? but it actually is seen as not right and immoral. Even though its the wishes of the person it cant be done.

Problem is that morals are subjective and the person should indeed have their wish granted. There is very little logic or valid reason to not grant the person's wishes, so that example holds little ground in what you're trying to prove exactly.

[Wind]

I'd donate my body to art, and what a display I would be. :wub:

[Elitist Indie Hipster]

ya it sounded so much better when i was thinking the argument out.. damn. you win.

[James_xeno]

I'd want my body to be donated to... Fuck that, I'm going to live forever.