Welcome members of the press, to the News and Media section of ECHO's Our Body: The Universe Within web site. All the information provided here, as well as the photographs may be used by you as you cover this impressive, world-class exhibit here at ECHO, on the waterfront in Burlington Vermont.

The exhibit opens to the public on Saturday, April 14, 2012. It is the first exhibit to occupy the brand new Lakeside Pavilion which is an expansion of ECHO's exhibit and programming space.

This is the first time an exhibit of this caliber has been displayed in a market as small as Burlington. Typically the exhibit would be in markets such as New York, Montreal, Miami and San Antonio. We are privileged to be able to bring Our Body: The Universe Within to the Champlain Valley region and we have been able to do so with the incredible support from the University of Vermont College of Medicine especially with regards to programming on special events to complement the exhibit. Additional support has come from Revision and Dealer.com.

For more information about this exhibit, please contact Gerianne Smart, ECHO's Director of Marketing and Communications, via phone (802-864-1848, ext. 125) or via email.

Press Briefs:

EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION

OUR BODY: THE UNIVERSE WITHIN is a fascinating, artful and educational exhibit consisting of actual human bodies and organs. Appropriate for all ages, this exhibit literally goes “under the skin”, revealing the mysteries of the human anatomy.

The bodies, specimens and organs have been preserved using a process known as polymer impregnation. OUR BODY: THE UNIVERSE WITHIN allows you the insight to the inside: giving one a true look at the inner workings of the extraordinary human body.

As you enter the exhibit, you will have the opportunity to examine the human body as a whole. Continuing throughout the exhibit, you will journey through each of the body’s major systems allowing you to see first hand how they function and relate to other systems.

 

OUR BODY Mission

The goal of OUR BODY: THE UNIVERSE WITHIN is for exhibit-goers to leave with a deeper understanding of the body’s form and function and a stronger appreciation of the uniqueness of each of our individual bodies. The exhibit vividly transmits knowledge about the human organism displaying the specimens in an artful, compelling and dignified environment. Guests will connect on a very personal level with these human artifacts as they use them to better understand their own bodies.

The exhibits also explore how the study of the body has evolved. The specimens serve as an engaging resource that vibrantly illustrates how far mankind has come since Galen drew anatomical sketches in the 2nd century A.D.

The Exhibition

OUR BODY: THE UNIVERSE WITHIN is a scientific, educational exhibit comprised of app. 200 specimens including whole body specimens that have been preserved using a method known as polymer impregnation.

OUR BODY: THE UNIVERSE WITHIN literally as well as figuratively goes “under the skin,” revealing the complexity of the human body and allowing visitors an up-close, 3-dimensional look at their inner make-up. Rather than use models of the human body, THE UNIVERSE WITHIN uses actual human bodies to provide the general public a look at what normally only doctors and scientists are allowed to see first-hand, making this a once in a lifetime experience.

The goal of OUR BODY: THE UNIVERSE WITHIN is that visitors leave with a deeper understanding of the body’s form and function and a stronger appreciation for staying fit and healthy.

Preservation Process

Visitors will be able to explore the body parts that allow them to think, to breath, to move and the ‘freeways’ that circulate the blood that keeps the motor in constant motion.”

Polymer impregnation is a relatively new method of preservation whereby bodily fluids are re- placed by liquid plastic, which is then hardened to create a solid, durable anatomic specimen that will last indefinitely. Most importantly, the process leaves even the finest, most delicate tissue structures virtually intact, down to the microscopic sphere, making the process invaluable for medical study.

Prior to the invention of polymer impregnation, the only method for preservation of cadavers for medical study was storage in formaldehyde, making the dissection and study of human bodies cumbersome. Polymer impregnation results in specimens that are not only versatile and easy to handle, but are truly authentic.

More Information

You'll find more details on the exhibit on our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Download the Our Body: The Universe Within Testimonials. (PDF)

Download press quotes about the Our Body: The Universe Within exhibit. (PDF)

You can view the hi-res images available to accompany your story in our gallery.