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--- lesson 18 Electric currents in modern art |
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--- Listen to the tape then answer the question below. |
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--- How might some of the exhibits have been dangerous? |
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Modern sculpture rarely surprises us any more. |
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The idea that modern art can only be seen in museums is mistaken. |
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Even people who take no interest in art cannot have failed to notice examples of modern sculpture on display in public places. |
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Strange forms stand in gardens, and outside buildings and shops. |
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We have got quite used to them. |
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Some so-called 'modern' pieces have been on display for nearly eighty years. |
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In spite of this, some people -- including myself -- were surprised by a recent exhibition of modern sculpture. |
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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!' |
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The objects on display were pieces of moving sculpture. |
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Oddly shaped forms that are suspended from the ceiling and move in response to a gust of wind are quite familiar to everybody. |
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These objects, however, were different. Lined up against the wall, there were long thin wires attached to metal spheres. |
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The spheres had been magnetized and attracted or repelled each other all the time. |
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In the centre of the hall, there were a number of tall structures which contained coloured lights. |
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These lights flickered continuously like traffic lights which have gone mad. |
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Sparks were emitted from small black boxes and red lamps flashed on and off angrily. |
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It was rather like an exhibition of prehistoric electronic equipment. |
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These peculiar forms not only seemed designed to shock people emotionally, |
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but to give them electric shocks as well! |