POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

'Chocka Bits' display figure for surgical implants and prostheses

Object No. 2004/112/1

One of the most dramatic advances in surgery occurred when it became possible to replace body parts, either with artificial implants or with human or animal transplants. The first artificial implant was a heart pacemaker developed in Sweden in 1959. Metal and plastic replacement hip joints followed in 1961. Skin grafts had been carried out as early as the 1860s but transplantation did not become truly successful until the problem of rejection was overcome. The first effective immuno-suppressant drugs were introduced in 1960, making organ replacement possible. Kidney transplants came first, followed by heart transplants in 1967. By the mid-1980s organ transplantation had become common and a vast array of artificial implants was available. However ordinary people, probably even those who had had replacement surgery themselves, did not necessarily know what these implants looked like. A display of artificial parts thus presented itself as an interesting possibility for the developers of an exhibition about health and the body scheduled to open in 1988 at the Powerhouse Museum, a relocated, expanded and entirely revamped reincarnation of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. In keeping with the Powerhouse intention of presenting innovative, exciting and interactive exhibits, the 'Mind and body' exhibition curators chose to display the artificial parts in situ in a life-like mannequin. Over thirty different implants were obtained from different manufacturers and an experienced model making company was contracted to undertake the fabrication and fitting out of the mannequin. The period from conception to installation of this unusual exhibit was lengthy - around two years. Making the exhibit involved arranging the implants (as well as several body organ models, representing 'transplants') in their correct anatomical positions around an artificial skeleton inside a transparent 'body' sculpted in a seated position to fit the proportions of the skeleton. Over this was laid a thick artificial 'skin' with windows through which the interior of the body could be viewed. Inside, each 'spare part' was identified with a numbered tile lit by optic cables. The fabricator required a great deal of skill and ingenuity to deal with the many challenges that arose while at the same time complying with the exhibition developers' requirements. Within the Museum itself there was a certain amount of consternation about the prospect of exhibiting a hermaphroditic figure that had, for example, both a breast implant and a penile implant. Eventually, however, Chocka Bits was installed and it created a great deal of interest for visitors to the 'Mind and Body' exhibition. In fact, it received so much attention that by 1992 its skin was looking very dilapidated and it had lost several foot bones and an artificial testicle. After another lengthy period of repair, during which time it was given a new, hard fibreglass 'skin', Chocka Bits was returned to 'Mind and body' in 1993. It remained on display until the exhibition was dismantled in 1995, by which time most of its 'bits' would have been made obsolete by the rapid advances in replacement surgery in the intervening decade. The museum exhibit Chocka Bits has been retained for two reasons. Firstly, it is a tangible link to an exciting period in medicine when implant and transplant science and technology burgeoned. Secondly, it is also a link to an equally exciting period for museums, when the Powerhouse was at the forefront, both in Australia and internationally, of innovative approaches to exhibition technology and techniques. References: - Porter, Roy, Blood and guts: a short history of medicine, Penguin Books, 2002. - Powerhouse Museum internal files.

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Summary

Object Statement

Display figure, 'Chocka Bits', containing surgical implants and prostheses, figure made & fitted out by David Yardley Pty Ltd, Australia, contents by Dow Corning Australia / Huckstep / Howmedica / Bio-Spectrum Australia / Johnson & Johnson / Teletronics, Australia / United States of America, 1986 - 1993

Physical Description

Display figure, 'Chocka Bits', containing surgical implants and prostheses, figure made & fitted out by David Yardley Pty Ltd, Australia, contents by Dow Corning Australia / Huckstep / Howmedica / Bio-Spectrum Australia / Johnson & Johnson / Teletronics, Australia / United States of America, 1986 - 1993 'Chocka Bits' is a life-size mannequin of an adult in a seated position. Inside the mannequin an artificial skeleton, 28 artificial surgical implants, and four model organs (representing organ transplants) are arranged in their correct anatomical positions. Each implant or 'transplant' is numbered with a small plastic tile, capable of being lit via optic fibre when the exhibit is connected to a power supply. The transparent plastic 'body' has been sculpted to fit the proportions of the artificial skeleton. On the outside of the transparent body there is a thick, painted fibre glass skin, perforated with 'windows' through which the surgical implants are visible. 'Chocka Bits' was commissioned by the Powerhouse Museum and displayed in the permanent exhibition, 'Mind and body'.

DIMENSIONS

Height

1480 mm

Width

1000 mm

Depth

1000 mm

PRODUCTION

Notes

Chocka Bits was commissioned by the Powerhouse Museum (Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences) from David Yardley Pty Ltd, 50-53/ 465 Glebe Point Road, Glebe NSW 2037. David Yardley and his studio were makers of robotics, props, models, prototypes, SFX and sculpture. They completed Chocka Bits in 1989 and it was then installed in the exhibition, 'Mind and body'. By 1991 the mannequin had been subjected to considerable wear and tear at the hands of Museum visitors. Its soft, synthetic latex 'skin' had been damaged in a number of places (notably the feet) and one of its artificial testicular implants had been stolen. In 1992 David Yardley Pty Ltd, by now relocated to Unit 1, Ern Harley Drive, Burleigh Heads, Queensland, repaired the exhibit and gave it a new, painted fibre glass skin. At the same time they considerably improved its appearance by discarding its wig and leaving its head 'clean shaven'. The exhibit was returned to 'Mind and body' in 1993 and stayed there until the exhibition was dismantled in 1995.

HISTORY

Notes

Chocka Bits was commissioned by the Powerhouse Museum for the exhibition, 'Mind and body', where it was installed in 1989. The curators involved with the commissioning of this exhibit were Dr Jesse Shore, Senior curator of sciences, and Ms Elizabeth Lee, Curator of health and medicine, who did most of the research for the exhibit and liaised with fabricator and with the companies and individuals who donated artificial implants that were to be installed in the mannequin. In documentation from the development period, the exhibit's name was spelt in a number of ways, including 'Chokkabits', but the label in the 'Mind and body' exhibition is headed 'I'm Chocka Bits'. By 1991 the mannequin had been subjected to considerable wear and tear at the hands of inquisitive Museum visitors. It was sent away for repairs in 1992 and given a new fibreglass 'skin' to replace the original soft, synthetic latex. It was returned to 'Mind and body' in 1993 and remained on display until the exhibition was dismantled in 1995.

SOURCE

Credit Line

Commissioned by the Powerhouse Museum, 1989

Acquisition Date

8 July 2004

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