BODIES... THE EXHIBITION

For some, learning about the human body is something only achievable with the help of textbooks and documentaries. Our knowledge about human anatomy is typically acquired through the examination of images and literature. Unless an individual is studying a subject related to a medical field at the postsecondary level, it’s uncommon that any of us will have the opportunity to examine human remains up close. However, for a short time, Winnipeggers will have the opportunity to see dissected human remains in the flesh at BODIES… The Exhibition.

BODIES… The Exhibition, which runs until January 9, 2011 at the MTS Centre Exhibition Place (311 Portage Avenue), is a travelling show which displays almost 200 organs and body parts, as well as corpses in a variety of life-like poses on display.

According to Premier Exhibitions, the group responsible for the touring exhibitions, the specimens on display are preserved by using a liquid silicone rubber. The silicone prevents the natural decay of the bodies, which allows viewers to look at the various systems of the body in a preserved state.

The exhibition has garnered media attention because of protests over the content of the displays. The corpses and body parts used in the exhibition are leased by the Chinese government to Premier Exhibitions for the travelling show. According to an article in the Winnipeg Free Press, Premier Exhibitions can’t independently verify the identities of the bodies on display, nor can the company verify whether or not the bodies came from executed prisoners.  

The exhibition itself, controversy aside, is remarkable. The displays are spread throughout two levels of the MTS Centre Exhibition Place. The tour starts on the second level of the building. After a brief escalator ride, visitors begin a journey through the various systems of the human body. Each system, skeletal, circulatory and so on, is displayed in separate sections.

The atmosphere on the second floor is almost foreboding. The house lights are dimly lit, and the walls are covered in dark paint. Every display, including the cadavers, is spotlighted which makes them standout against their dark surroundings.

The most remarkable display on the second floor is a body which has been stripped of all its flesh and organs, left only to display the entire circulatory system. The veins and arteries are bright red, and instantly catch viewers’ attention.

Photo from Sara Harrison

The tour ends on the main level of the building where visitors can view such displays as the digestive system. The setup of the displays is different from those on the upper level. Whereas the upper level is divided neatly into separate, well defined exhibits, the main level is more open. The feeling that you are following a defined path throughout the exhibit is lost on the main level.

BODIES… The Exhibition allows viewers an unparalleled opportunity to view the human body. It’s an incredible experience that is worth seeing before it ends on January 9, 2011. The exhibition runs from 10:00 to 9:00 Mondays through Saturdays, and 12:00 to 6:00 on Sundays. Tickets for the show are less expensive on weekdays ($19.95 on weekdays for an adult versus $23.95 on weekends), and family and group packages are available. 

BIRDSONG REVIEW

The short story Birdsong, written by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, is about a Nigerian woman living in Lagos who recounts her love affair with a well-to-do, married Nigerian Businessman.

The protagonist, who works as a community-relations worker for a telecom company, remembers her ill-fated relationship with her lover while stuck in traffic. Also while caught in the gridlock, she grows concerned about a woman sitting in a car next to hers, who is staring at her. She can't help but wonder if the woman in the car next to her is her former lover's wife.

One recurring theme that is buried within the story is the veiled references to the impacts of modernity on Nigerian society. Whether it's references to new lifestyles - the fact that the protagonist is one of two women working in her company, unmarried at 32, and engaged in an affair - and the suggestions that the ways of the past were backwards - references to tribes.

The relationship the protagonist and her lover are engaged in is a product of changing societal pressures in Nigeria. The lover is from the new gentry, pursuing the same lavish lifestyles - mistresses included.

In my opinion, the story's greatest strength is the way the protagonist goes from present to past throughout the story. The narrative flows from the protagonist's experience in the car, to experiences she had with her coworker and friend Chikwado, and the experiences she shared with her lover. The author effortlessly jumps from one setting and memory to the next without making the story feel cumbersome and hard to follow. 

The story appeared in the New Yorker, the September 2010 edition. Ngozi Adichie, born in Nigeria, is an accomplished writer whose work has been published in several journals and anthologies, and has also written novels, poems, and a play. She holds a master's degree in creative writing from John Hopkins University. For a more detailed biography of the author, including a full list of publications and awards, visit Ngozi Adichie's website. 

If you would like to read Birdsong, go to the New Yorker's website. 

BYELECTION RESULTS DO PROVIDE DEEPER TRUTH

In a recent article about the November 29 federal byelections appearing in the Winnipeg Free Press, writer Dan Lett laments the fact that the byelection results didn't provide, in his opinion, a substantive change in the overall composition of the Canadian electoral landscape.

Lett writes "We in the media are trained to detect and report the slightest change in the fortune or momentum. But the results in these most recent byelections do not change the fact that this is a country in political gridlock."

Although I agree with the assertion that the country is, based on the current distribution of seats, in a state of political gridlock, I believe that the byelections do provide us with an intriguing view of Canadian politics. The results provide us with a glimpse into the potential makeup of the next parliament.

I make this claim based on the potential for a minority government (I personally loathe the idea of a minority government, but constitutionally it could be done). The NDP and the Liberals each lost long-held seats. The NDP lost to the Liberals in Winnipeg North, and the Liberals lost Vaughan to the Conservatives. The NDP seem to be losing momentum, and the Liberals are stagnant.

Vaughan byelection winner Julian Fantino

(Picture from vaughanelection.wordpress.com/) 

Without rehashing years of political studies course notes (I will paraphrase for everyone's benefit), we are living in an era of minority government politics. This will remain the case, in my opinion, so long as the Bloc Quebecois is strong. If the NDP and the Liberals feel that they can't overtake the Conservatives, a likely outcome would be a coalition.

You can always find greater meaning in byelection results, even if it doesn't look like it at a quick glance.

WHO KNEW KIA WAS COOL?

This is not an advertisement for Kia. Really. It's not. Although indirectly, I guess it kind of is...

It's a fitting slogan, because Kia's ads surprised me. (Photo from MultiVu)

I've never been in a Kia. In fact, it's not really a brand I would ever consider purchasing when car shopping. That being said, it came to me as a huge surprise when I found a plethora of super funny and clever Kia advertisements on YouTube. What originated as a search for a specific car ad - which I have yet to find - led me to these ads.

Below are a few a few of them I really enjoyed. The first two are American and the second two are from Australia. I also really enjoy the copy that accompanies the Australian ads. It reads: "Cultured and stylish. Sporty and cosmpolitan. The all new Kia Sportage is designed to take you places far beyond the urban jungle."

On that note, enjoy the ads!

2010 KIA Soul (US)



2010 Kia Sorrento (US)



2010 KIA Sportage (Australia)



2010 KIA Sportage (Australia)

FREE SPEECH? NOT ON MY CAMPUS!

GROWING HYPOCRISY ON CANADIAN UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES?

There are very few issues that are as polarizing as abortion. Both pro-life and pro-choice supporters are incredibly passionate about their views on the highly controversial matter. Frankly, there’s very little hope of ever reconciling either groups’ differing views.

In my personal experience, abortion is one of those topics I avoid bringing up at all costs unless my goal is to stir up a rousing debate. Regardless of what your particular opinion may be, you’re guaranteed to get an incredible reaction if you bring up the topic in any social setting. Try it; you’ll see what I mean.

The point of this article isn’t to debate pro-life or pro-choice positions. In my opinion, it’s a moral issue I feel I am unqualified to address.

It should be made clear right now, that I will not advocate pro-life views, nor will I advocate pro-choice positions in this article. My personal opinion on the issue is irrelevant as it pertains to my main issue relating to free speech on university campuses.

I ran across an article in the National Post which I found disturbing. According to the online article, the Carleton University Student Association (CUSA) recently decertified a student group named the Carleton Lifeline due to its anti-abortion views. The CUSA told the club that being anti-abortion violated the association’s anti-discrimination policy. The CUSA did however state that if Carleton Lifeline embraced pro-choice views, the club could be reinstated.

In an interview with the National Post, Ruth Lobo, the president of Carleton Lifeline said that the CUSA was assuming a hypocritical position. “It’s very ironic that they have a discrimination policy that allows them to discriminate against pro-life groups,” she said. 

Carleton Lifeline is now preparing to take the CUSA to court over its decision. In an article appearing on the National Post’s website on November 19, Carlton Lifeline’s lawyer Albertos Polizogopoulos, said the decision to ban the pro-life group was ludicrous. “Their own constitution states they will not discriminate on the basis of political affiliation or belief,” Mr. Polizogopoulos said. “They’ve enacted a policy that is clearly in violation of their own constitution.”

I am just as appalled by the CUSA’s decision to ban Carleton Lifeline as the group’s lawyer. What the CUSA did is blatantly discriminate a student club. It is absolutely hypocritical. It’s a complete violation of the concept of free speech.

I suspect the CUSA will likely reverse its position. Lawsuits generally aren’t pleasant – not speaking from experience of course.

Universities are supposed to be institutions wherein the free and open exchange of ideas occur, and where differing views should be debated. However, it seems to be a growing trend in Canadian institutions of higher learning to curb conservative viewpoints. Universities are liberal institutions, but there are some glaring examples of students opposing groups, and people with socially-conservative viewpoints.

The most notable example that instantly jumps to my mind was right-wing pundit Ann Coulter’s cancelled visit to the University of Ottawa in March. She’s brash and controversial, but in the spirit of free speech she should’ve been allowed to speak on campus without the threat of intimidation. She ended up cancelling her scheduled stop at the U of O.  

Picture of Ann Coulter

More recently in Winnipeg, University of Winnipeg valedictorian Erin Larson blasted MP Vic Toews because she believes the minister’s views are at odds with those of the U of W. Whatever his views, Toews has as much right to air them as the valedictorian does.

Photo from actionplan.gc.ca

The hypocrisy that exists on university campuses when it comes to free speech demeans all institutions of higher learning. Free speech is for all, not just self-righteous students and student associations.