RantCrush Top 5: July 3, 2017

In Prague, one district mayor wants to shut down “Body: The Exhibition” because it displays dead human bodies. This type of exhibit became popular after plastination became common in the mid-1990s. Plastination is a method of mummifying bodies and organs that involves replacing all bodily fluids with hardening silicone. A lot of people were offended by the traveling exhibition, including Mayor Jan Cizinsky, who realized the exhibition may break the country’s funeral law. According to Czech law, all dead bodies need to be buried “with all necessary speed.” Cizinsky is trying to get a court order to seize the bodies, but the exhibit ends on July 23.

The exhibitors were shocked that someone tried to seize the bodies–Cizinsky has even picked a cemetery to bury them in–but then they started using the controversy for PR purposes. “Now, we are happy about it. It really is great advertising for us,” said Kveta Havelkova, who is a marketing manager for the company that rented the exhibition. “Bodies” came from China, and has been surrounded by controversy from the beginning due to speculation that the bodies come from executed political prisoners and dissenters. China denies that, and so far 100,000 people have visited the exhibition in Prague since late February.

Prague mayor wants to bury some 50-100 unclaimed bodies (and parts). Exhibition firm is thankful for the publicity. https://t.co/inREms7RL0 pic.twitter.com/37IcFKQn3p

— New York Times World (@nytimesworld) July 2, 2017

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.