18_Electric_Currents_in_Modern_Art
18 Electric Currents in Modern Art¶
Modern sculpture rarely surprises us any more. The idea that modern art can only be seen in museums is mistaken. Even people who take no interest in art cannot have failed to notice examples of modern sculpture on display in public places. Strange forms stand in gardens, and outside buildings and shops. We have got quite used to them. Some so-called 'modern' pieces have been on display for nearly eighty years.
In spite of this, some people--including myself--were surprised by a recent exhibition of modern sculpture. The first thing I saw when I entered the art gallery was a notice which said: 'Do not touch the exhibits, some of them are dangerous!' The objects on display were pieces of moving sculpture. Oddly shaped forms that are suspended from the ceiling and move in response to a gust of wind are quite familiar to everybody. These objects, however, were different. Lined up against the wall, there were long thin wires attached to metal spheres. The spheres had been magnetized and attracted or repelled each other all the time. In the centre of the hall, there were a number of tall structures which contained coloured lights. These lights flickered continuously like traffic lights which have gone mad. Sparks were emitted from small black boxes and red lamps flashed on and off angrily. It was rather like an exhibition of []] electronic equipment. These peculiar forms not only seemed designed to shock people emotionally, but to give them electric shocks as well!
Words¶
- sculpture /ˈskʌlptʃɚ/ 雕塑
- gallery /ˈɡælɚi/ 美术馆
- spheres /sfɪrz/ 球体
- magnetized /ˈmæɡnɪˌtaɪzd/ 磁化
- repelled /rəˈpɛld/ 排斥
- flickered /ˈflɪkɚd/ 闪烁
- emitted /ɪˈmɪtəd/ 发散
- equipment /ɪˈkwɪpmənt/ 设备
- peculiar /pəˈkjuljɚ/ 奇怪的
- shock /ʃɑk/ 电击
- emotionally /ɪˈmoʃnəli/ 感情上
Expressions¶
- make a sculpture / create a sculpture 创作一件雕塑
- be mistaken about sth./sb. 对某事/某人弄错
- Oddly enough, ...句子 说来也奇怪
- be attached to sb./sth. = attach a. to b. 依附于；把 A 系在 B 上
- get an electric shock 触电
- receive an electric shock 受到电击
- give you electric shocks 电你
- not any more = not any longer = no longer 不再
- The idea that+句子 is mistaken. ……的想法是错误的
- take no interest in 对……不感兴趣
- in response to 作为对……的回应
- be familiar to sb. 为某人所熟悉
- go mad 发疯
- on and o 断断续续地
- It was rather like ... 这颇像……
- seemed designed ... 似乎是为……而设计
- be designed to do sth. 旨在做某事