Indianapolis is My Home

12
Jul

Death Is Coming to Indianapolis

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Cultural Events, Indiana State Museum, Things To Do in Indy

Although the homicide rate in the city has been having a significant increase of late, there’s another version of death is coming to the Circle City. In this case it’s the “Bodies. the Exhibition” exhibit that’s coming to the city. Then there’s also “Body Worlds III” scheduled to come to the Indiana State Museum.

Atlanta-based Premier Exhibitions Inc. is looking to bring its controversial "Bodies… the Exhibition" show to Indianapolis. The exhibit, which features cadavers that have been plasticized, dissected and posed, has been dogged by reports that the specimens used in the presentation may be the remains of tortured Chinese prisoners.

If the show opens here, it would debut mere months before the Indiana State Museum is slated to bring the more reputable "Body Worlds III" exhibit to Indianapolis. The founder of that show’s company, Dr. Gunther von Hagens, has spoken out against using bodies from China, which doesn’t closely regulate its specimens.

Details on an Indianapolis exhibit are foggy. A woman who answered the phone at Premier, a publicly traded company, first said the exhibit was scheduled to open in Indianapolis on July 19 and referred detailed questions to a spokeswoman, who did not return a message.

Both of these exhibits sound like they’d be very interesting to experience and see. My question though is if we’re concerned about where the bodies came from in the “Bodies..the Exhibition” exhibit, what are people doing about it besides not going to see them? Are they only upset that they’ve got them placed in their cities, or are they really concerned about the conditions in China that potentially caused the deaths of the cadavers used in the exhibit?

Source: Controversial cadaver exhibit coming on IBJ

22
Jan

U2 3D in IMAX Glory!

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Concerts, Downtown, IMAX Theater, Indiana State Museum, Movies, Things To Do in Indy

I may have just experienced one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen on a screen. Through the generosity of BestBuy.com RewardZone I was able to score a couple of passes to a sneak preview of U23D movie at the IMAX Theater at White River State Park.

I wasn’t sure at all what to expect. I’ve seen advertisements before about going to watch a music concert at a theater and I just didn’t think it would be something worthwhile. Seeing one in 3D seemed even weirder.

All I can say is…WOW! You are immersed in the experience of being a part of this concert that took place in Argentina. The stadium concert experience that was part of their "Vertigo" tour is simply inspiring.

I can’t even think of much more to say about it that does it justice, but you feel like you’re member of the audience as well as being right on stage with the performers themselves. The only suggestion I’d have was that the IMAX theater should have been cranking the volume another 50 decibels. I’ve watched movies that were pumping more audio and this U23D experience screamed for more volume!

UPDATE: The widget originally embedded in the page was messing up the layout and repeating itself. Visit the U2 3D Movie website for all the details.

UPDATE AGAIN: Ticket prices at the IMAX at Indiana State Museum is $13.50 for adults. Tickets at the Kerasotes 16 IMAX on the south side is only $12.50.

24
Oct

Get Your Speed Fix at the Indiana State Museum

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Cultural Events, Indiana State Museum, Special Events, Things To Do in Indy

There’s a new exhibit and event taking place at the Indiana State Museum from now until January 21, 2008. It’s called “Speed”.

SPEED takes you on a high-velocity plunge into horizon-stretching, barrier-smashing motion!

Let yourself be inspired by stores of people in the worlds of sports and entertainment who push the envelope of acceleration. Hands-on activities will transport you to the limits of SPEED. Design your own roller coaster or race car, test your reaction time and stop a virtual train. Compete against friends and find out just how fast is too fast! Learn more about push!, stop!, go!, drag!, and zoom! at this fun, hands-on exhibition.

Events like this remind me of how I wish there was a VisitIndy pass of some kind that you could purchase that would get you in the vast majority of all venues in the city and surrounding areas. My family has a Indianapolis Children’s Museum and Indianapolis Zoo membership. Being able to pay a little bit more and get access to Conner Prairie, NCAA Hall of Champions, Indiana State Museum and discounts at local sporting events would be a great buy in my opinion.