The German creator of the controversial “Body Worlds” exhibitions of dissected human and animal bodies, Gunther von Hagens, has died at age 81, his family said Monday.
They added in a statement that “it was Gunther von Hagens’ own wish to make his body available for plastination after his death”, referring to his technique of preserving human remains.
“His family will respect and carry out this wish.”
Von Hagens, an anatomist, lecturer and entrepreneur nicknamed “Dr Death,” in the 1970s invented the plastination process, which involves removing water and fat from human and animal tissue and replacing them with chemical compounds.
He would then display the bodies in lifelike poses, revealing their muscles, skeletons and internal organs in exhibitions that drew millions worldwide but also occasionally faced calls for bans.
He faced charges of voyeurism and profiting commercially from death. Controversies such as a 2002 autopsy performed in London — on camera and before an audience —- further fuelled his notoriety.
The Body Worlds exhibit featured in a scene of the 2006 James Bond film “Casino Royale”.
