Bones and muscles unite. photo: Krysta Jabczenski
In a life-imitates-cinema turn of events, a slew of dead bodies are responsible for bringing the Historic Rialto Building back to life. No, not zombies, Bodies - The Exhibition, has opened in the huge renovated space on 5th Avenue and Congress Street, and it's a heck of a show.
The interior of the building is large and warmly-lit, a setting that lends a soft, dramatic air to the organic displays inside. One expects the exhibit to be grey and lifeless, but it is quite the opposite: the bodies and systems are incredibly vibrant and lifelike, arranged throughout the space with style. Some of the pieces are suspended from the ceiling, some are posed along the walls, and some are laid out under glass; all, however, are presented with a professional touch approaching art.
Premier Exhibitions, the group responsible for bringing the show to the Old Pueblo, also provide clever little sound-phones which elaborate on the exhibit as you pass through. The building itself is almost a show-stealer; if you remember the previous state of the Rialto block, you will be blown away by the refurbishment achieved within.
It would spoil the fun to over-describe the show; the stand-alone circulatory system is awesome though! Suffice to say that it is well worth the price of admission. The exhibit opened on May 15 and there were people, adults and kids alike, lined up and down the block by mid-morning. Get yourself downtown and check it out. Bring the family! Your younger ones are surely just dying to see this show.
Hours are Sun-Thur, 10am-8pm; Fri-Sat, 10am-10pm at 300 E. Congress St. Tickets run $14-$22 and are available inside the exhibit or at BodiesTucson.com.
