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THE organisers of an exhibition involving the skinless body of a child have insisted it will go ahead today, despite being refused a venue by Edinburgh City Council.
Professor Gunther von Hagens, who sparked outrage by conducting a post-mortem examination on television, had hoped to display the preserved skinless bodies, including those of an infant and three adults, in Princes Street Gardens today. But the council has declined the application on the grounds that some people would find it offensive.
A spokesman for the Body Worlds show said they had already found an alternative venue where the public would be able to see the bodies.
Prof von Hagens, an anatomy expert, has been trying to find somewhere in Edinburgh to hold the display and had already been turned down by several institutions. He had hoped it would coincide with the opening at the Fringe of Corpus, a musical black comedy which was inspired by the German’s work. Prof von Hagens will play a violin on stage with the cast of Corpus at C Venues today, and will hold a debate on the ethics of the Body Worlds exhibition tomorrow.
The professor, who claims that he turns human bodies into works of sculpture when he injects them with plastic to preserve them, faced criticism from politicians and bereavement support groups who called for a boycott of the exhibition.
An application to the city council was rejected yesterday. A spokeswoman for the local authority said: "The City of Edinburgh Council has not approved the application to hold the Body Worlds exhibition in Princes Street Gardens.
"For much of the year, but particularly during summer and the Fringe and Festival period, the gardens offer a range of activities for children and people of all ages to enjoy, and allow them to relax in tranquil surroundings.
"The proposed exhibition has the potential to give offence to some visitors. Therefore, we believe it is not appropriate to grant approval for this exhibition to be staged in the gardens."
However, a spokesman for the Body Worlds show said the exhibition could be hosted at an alternative venue. The location was not being disclosed.
A spokeswoman said last night: "Prof von Hagens is travelling to Scotland with several bodies from his exhibition. He intends to go ahead with the show despite the council’s decision, although I can’t say more than that at this stage."
After the festival, Prof von Hagens is expected to embark on a tour of the UK, during which he hopes to persuade people to sign up to be body donors for a new project.
It is understood that he is attempting to display, in a preserved corpse, how the human body could be improved with extra organs.
While in Edinburgh, he is keen to recruit people willing to make a posthumous appearance in his macabre show.
A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said that any event that took place without a licence, and that caused the public "fear and alarm", may be considered a breach of the peace.
The council’s decision was welcomed by Jenni Thomas, the chief executive of the Child Bereavement Trust.
She said: "It would have upset many bereaved people, who have suffered enough and don’t deserve any more heartbreak.
"To think that he was going to use this beautiful place to court publicity for his display is completely wrong, and I’m glad the council have put a stop to it."
JEANETTE OLDHAM
Wednesday, 30th July 2003
The Scotsman
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