Is happiness merely a smile appearing on our faces, or is it a real process that leaves traces inside our bodies as well? BODY WORLDS’s new exhibition, The Anatomy of Happiness, pursues this question, looking at happiness somewhat outside the ordinary—directly from within the body.
Welcoming millions of visitors in different cities across the world, the exhibition will open to the public in London on September 29, 2026. The exhibition can be visited between September 29, 2026, and March 21, 2027, at Sussex Mansions in South Kensington.
What Will Be Seen in the Exhibition?
Instead of following human anatomy from book pages or digital screens, BODY WORLDS examines it through real specimens. The exhibition features real human bodies donated for science, full-body plastinates, organs, and translucent body slices.
At this point, the word “plastination” is key. In this method developed by Dr. Gunther von Hagens, fluids and fats in body tissues are replaced by protective polymers. In this way, anatomical structures can be preserved for a long time, allowing visitors to examine muscles, organs, blood vessels, and bones in much greater detail.
As stated on the London page of the exhibition, all specimens have been donated for plastination. This information clarifies the most curious and, for some visitors, most sensitive side of the exhibition: The bodies here are human specimens donated for scientific and educational purposes.
How Does Happiness Affect the Body?
The Anatomy of Happiness does not reduce the exhibition merely to the question of “how does the human body work?” It also addresses the impact of happiness, stress, lifestyle, and social relationships on the body and mind.
Visitors will be able to discover how emotions connect with bodily processes and how the brain, cardiovascular system, and other organs play a role in this relationship. The exhibition also features interactive sections that help visitors better understand their own anatomy. One of these is an interactive setup called the “Anatomical Mirror,” which allows visitors to see the positioning of organs in the body.
In this respect, the exhibition is not just an anatomy presentation walked past behind glass cases. It is designed as an experience that prompts us to look a bit more carefully at our own bodies, health, and daily habits.
What to Know Before Visiting
According to the official London page, the exhibition tour takes approximately 60–90 minutes. The experience is open to visitors of all ages, and the venue is wheelchair accessible. An audio guide is also available at the exhibition; for this, visitors need to bring their mobile phones and compatible headphones to use QR codes.
Before tickets go on general sale, it is stated on the official UK site that they will go on sale on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 09:00. For now, visitors can join the waiting list. Therefore, it is a good idea for those considering visiting on a weekend to keep an eye on the ticket sale date.
Science, Art, and a Bit of Wonder
BODY WORLDS exhibitions have long sparked debate and curiosity by addressing the human body from both a scientific and visual perspective. While it can be an exceptionally educational and impressive experience for some visitors, encountering real human specimens may not feel the same for everyone. Therefore, it is important to know the nature of the content before going to the exhibition.
Yet, this is precisely where the intriguing aspect of The Anatomy of Happiness emerges. The exhibition links an abstract, everyday emotion like happiness with the concrete structures of the body. It invites us to contemplate how a smile, feeling good, or the bond we form with loved ones can find expression in our bodies.
In the museum-surrounded atmosphere of South Kensington, BODY WORLDS offers an extraordinary option for those seeking a different cultural route for the autumn. Leaving here, we will likely not only have learned more about human anatomy, but also gaze at our own bodies and happiness with a bit more mindfulness.
