CATEGORIES:
BiologyChemistryConstructionCultureEcologyEconomyElectronicsFinanceGeographyHistoryInformaticsLawMathematicsMechanicsMedicineOtherPedagogyPhilosophyPhysicsPolicyPsychologySociologySportTourism
HISTORY
For all intents and purposes, the history of the arts begins with the history of art, as dealt with elsewhere. Some examples of creative art through the ages can be summarized here, as excerpted from the history of art. Ancient Greek art saw the veneration of the animal form and the development of equivalent skills to show musculature, poise, beauty and anatomically correct proportions. Ancient Roman art depicted gods as idealized humans, shown with characteristic distinguishing features (i.e. Zeus' thunderbolt). In Byzantine and Gothic art of the Middle Ages, the dominance of the church insisted on the expression of biblical and not material truths. Eastern art has generally worked in a style akin to Western medieval art, namely a concentration on surface patterning and local colour (meaning the plain colour of an object, such as basic red for a red robe, rather than the modulations of that colour brought about by light, shade and reflection). A characteristic of this style is that the local colour is often defined by an outline (a contemporary equivalent is the cartoon). This is evident in, for example, the art of India, Tibet and Japan. Religious Islamic art forbids iconography, and expresses religious ideas through geometry instead. The physical and rational certainties depicted by the 19th-century Enlightenment were shattered not only by new discoveries of relativity by Einstein and of unseen psychology by Freud, but also by unprecedented technological development. Paradoxically the expressions of new technologies were greatly influenced by the ancient tribal arts of Africa and Oceania, through the works of Paul Gauguin and the Post-Impressionists, Pablo Picasso and the Cubists, as well as the Futurists and others.
Read the text & do the following exercises.
I. Explain the difference between two terms “art” and “THE ARTS”. II. Give the definition of “THE ARTS” basing on the text and be ready to present your own one. III. In what way does the understanding of ART differ with years? IV. What things generally come under the heading of “THE ARTS”? V. Characterise each of the branches of “THE ARTS”. Be sure to mention: 1) people who are involved in it; 2) the essence of each art form; 3) what it bases on (You are supposed to find extra information to cover each point).
SECTION II Vocabulary Exercises
1. THE ARTS. The following are parts of newspaper reviews of visual and performing arts and literature. Identify the subject of each (film, novel etc.) and give at least six words which helped you to decide.
(a) The first movement is dominated by the strings with only occasional percussion participation. So many bows dancing in unison made this a visual as well as an aural delight and I abandoned my score to watch. In the second movement the (b) His favourite medium is now oil, and the canvas which dominates this show, a (c) Her weaknesses are characterisation and dialogue. Her strengths are plot and (d) This new young choreographer has given us an exciting and unconventional (e) First-night nerves are notorious, but I have never heard so many lines fluffed, so many cues missed. The prompter was busy last night and the director (and
2. Which branch of the arts do you think these people are talking about? Example: “It was a strong cast but the play itself is weak.” Theatre 1. “It's called Peace. It stands in the main square.” 2. “Animation doesn't have to be just Disney, you know.” 3. “It was just pure movement, with very exciting rhythms.” 4. “It doesn't have to rhyme to be good.” 5. “Oils to me don't have the delicacy of water-colours.” 6. “Her design for the new shopping centre won an award.” 7. “I read them and imagine what they'd be like on stage.” 8. “The first chapter was boring but it got better later.” 9. “I was falling asleep by the second act.” 3. Definite article or not? Fill the gap with the if necessary. 1. The government doesn't give enough money to _____ arts. 2. She’s got a diploma in _____ dance from the Performing Arts Academy. 3. I’ve got some tickets for____ ballet. Interested? 4.____ art of writing a short story is to interest the reader from the very first line. 5. I can't stand_____ modern poetry; it's so pretentious. 6. I was no good at_____ art at school. What about you?
4. ART. Put each of the following words in its correct place in the passage below.
One of the most (a) _______things anyone can do is to make a work of art, whether it’s a (b) _________making a (c)_________ or a (d) _______ painting pictures. (e) ________ do it for their own satisfaction and pleasure, but (f) ________ artists have to make a living from their art and they are dependent on (g)_______ to sell their (h) ________in city (i) _______ . I myself have three Picassos, a Botticelli and a Van Gogh. They're (j) _______ not originals, but they're all I can afford. 5. FAME. Put each of the following words or phrases in its correct place in the passage below.
Being famous, being a (a)_ can mean wealth, recognition and being surrounded by an (b)_______ of helpers, secretaries and agents. It can mean giving (c)________ to admiring (d) _______ and (e) _________ to the press. But being (f) ______- also has its disadvantages. Famous entertainers suffer from a lack of (g) _________. They need (h) _______ to protect them. The constant (i) ____ on them can lead to the (j) ______ of their marriages. This is the price of tame.
6. ART & ENTERTAINTMENT. Choose the most suitable word for each space. Until the early part of this century there was certainly a distinction between popular music, the songs and dance (1) ________ of the masses, and what we have come to call (2) _________ music. Up to that point, however, there were at least some points of contact (3) _________ the two, and perhaps general recognition of what made a good voice, or a good song. With the development of (4) __________ entertainment, popular music split away and has gradually (5) ___________ a stronger life of its (6) ________ to the point where it has become incompatible with (7) _________classics. In some respects, it is now dominated by the (8) _________ of youth culture, so that a concert by Elton John is just as much a fashion (9) __________ and other artists may be promoting dance styles, or social (10) ___________ . For this reason, it is impossible to talk about popular music as if it were a unified art. The kind of music you like may (11) _________ on what kind of person you are. Curiously, there are now classical musicians and operatic singers who have (12) _______ the status of rock stars, and have been marketed in the same way. This seems to suggest that many young people enjoy classical music but do not wish to be associated with the (13) _________ of those who are traditionally supposed to enjoy it. Or it may simply be that recording companies have discovered that there is an insatiable (14) ________ for “sounds”, and that classical music is beginning to sound exciting to a generation (15) _________ on rock but now settling into affluent middle-age.
SECTION III Writing 1. To be labelled a “Work of Art”, a painting, sculpture or other art form should display certain qualities that are unique. However, over the past century there has been a decline in the quality of prize-winning artwork and it is now possible for quite ordinary pieces of art to be labeled “masterpieces” whilst true works of art pass unnoticed. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer.
2. Creative artists should be given the freedom to express their own ideas (in words, pictures, music or film) in whichever way they wish. There should be no government restrictions on what they do. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
3. Does Art give our lives meaning and purpose or is it merely a distraction from real life? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
SECTION IV Discussion
1. Dwell on the following topics. · Describe a museum or art gallery that you have visited. Which one would you recommend to other people? · The need for museums and art galleries in our society. · Making museums more interesting. · Museum art – vs – popular art. · Graffiti – art or vandalism? · The role of public artworks, e.g. statues and buildings.
2. Which of these would you associate with the visual arts (V) and which would you associate with the performing arts (P)? Which are places and which are art forms? 0 ceramics V- art form 1. the cinema 2. a concert 3. dance 4. a gallery 5. graphic design 6. a museum 7. music 8. a play 9. (a) painting 10. photography 11. (a)sculpture 12. the theatre
What other art forms do you know of? Discuss. Which of the art forms do you prefer and why? Talk about the last time you went to one of the places.
SECTION IV Vocabulary Study
FAMOUS 1 well known and talked about by many people; 2 famous because of a special skill, achievement, or quality; 3 famous for a long time and talked about by many people; 4 receiving a lot of attention in the newspapers, on television etc. because you are famous; 5 famous because of something bad; 6 to become famous; 7 the fact of being famous; 8 someone who is famous, especially in the world of entertainment or sport; 9 not famous
famous ( the rich and famous) e.g. She collected signed photographs of famous people. One day I’ll be famous. Would you like to try some of the famous ToKay dessert wine?
well-known/well known fairly especially in a particular place or among a particular e.g. She works in local radio, and is quite well known in the Houston area. I'd never heard of her, but apparently very well known in medical circles. He writes the advertisements for a well-known brand of cigarettes.
world-famous/world famous famous all over the world [adj] e.g. Come to Brazil for Rio's world-famous carnival. I remember the performance that made him world famous.
noted /noted musician/scientist/surgeon, etc./ (= well known and respected because of a special ability, quality, achievement) [adj. only before noun] e.g. The noted surgeon Dr Christian Barnard will perform the operation. The author quotes Stephen Jay Gould, the noted Harvard scientist, to support his theories.
be at the height of your fame to be at the point in your life, especially your working life, when you are most famous [v phrase] e.g. John Travolta was at the height of his fame in the late seventies. As a champion boxer at the height of his fame, das, Casius Clay changed his name to Muhammad Ali and became a Black Muslim. In the 1920s the Cotton Club in Harlem was at the height of its fame.
high profile if a person or organization has a high profile they attract a lot of attention, for example because they are important or are responsible for controlling a lot of money [n singular] e.g. He was a millionaire newspaper owner with a very high profile. We intend to give the Enterprise Allowance Scheme a much higher profile.
high-profile [adj] Martin Lord has a high-profile job at Pan American Airlines.
be famous for [v phrase] e.g. Mother Theresa is famous for her work with the poor. Their farm is in the Bordeaux district, famous for its wines.
be well known for to be fairly famous for a special skill, achievement, or good quality [v. phrase] e.g. My grandmother, who was well known in the village for her kindness, helped them. Stephen hawking is well known for his work on the theory of black holes. He is best known for his plays, although he regarded his novels as his most serious work.
be noted for to be well known for a particular quality, skill or activity, especially something that is unusual [v phrase] e.g. The waiters are always rude. They are noted for it! We grew up in a city noted for its excellent music, food, and fashion. Sweden is a country noted for its high expenditure on welfare.
renowned /ri'naund/ famous and admired by a lot of people, because of a special skill, achievement, or quality [adj] e.g. Dizzy Gillespie, the renowned trumpeter, died yesterday. renowned for Barbados is renowned for the marvellous cricket players it produces. | renowned as Father Tom was becoming renowned as a preacher - people travelled from far and wide to attend his church.
eminent eminent doctor /professor/ scientist (=famous and respected because they are very good at the work that they do) [adj. usually before noun] e.g. She's an eminent psychiatrist, and works at the Harvard Medical School. Companies can afford to hire the most eminent lawyers to represent them.
celebrated very well known, admired and talked about by many people, especially because of good qualities [adj. only before noun] e.g. Van Gogh, perhaps Holland's most celebrated artist, died in poverty. Zelda Fitzgerald was a celebrated society hostess and her parties are remembered to this day. America was inspired by the celebrated speech which John F. Kennedy made at his inauguration.
legendary very famous and having some special or unusual quality, that people like to talk about, usually because it is funny or interesting [adj. usually before noun] e.g. The party was attended by Samuel Goldwyn, Hollywood's legendary film producer. The old actor can still use his legendary charm. During one of his legendary drinking sessions in New York, Molloy was arrested for fighting.
be in the public eye to receive a lot of attention, so that whatever you do may be reported in newspapers, on television etc. [v. phrase] e.g. The President's family is constantly in the public eye. Athletes who are in the public eye have a responsibility to behave in a sensible way. A failed actor, he managed to remain in the public eye by hosting a regular programme on TV.
be in the spotlight/limelight/ to receive a lot of attention in the newspapers, on television etc, but usually only for a short period of time [v. phrase] e.g. In her dreams she was back in the spotlight, surrounded by her faithful fans. Since 'Home Alone' was released, its young star has been permanently in the limelight.
much talked about receiving a lot of attention from newspapers, television etc, and talked about by a lot of people, because of something interesting or surprising [adj. phrase] e.g. Following the publication of his new book he became much talked about, a controversial figure. She is Australia's most talked about TV actress.
sb's name is on everyone's lips if someone's name is on everyone's lips they are very well known and talked about for a short time, usually because of a news story e.g. As a result of the scandal, the tall Texan millionaire’s name was on everyone’s lips.
notorious famous or widely known because of something bad, for example for being criminal, violent, or immoral [adj] e.g. One of Britain's most notorious criminals has escaped from prison. His bad manners are notorious. notorious for English soccer fans are notorious for their drunkenness. If you go to the club, be careful. It's notorious for drugs and violence.
infamous famous for being bad, especially for being immoral or evil [adj. only before noun] e.g. The 'Cheka' was the infamous secret police. That infamous prison camp is now a museum. the infamous Yorkshire Ripper
become famous/well known /[v phrase] e.g. Some people dream of becoming famous. Doctor Nathaniel became well known in the city where he practised.
rise to fame/achieve fame/win fame to become famous, especially suddenly [v phrase] e.g. He rose to fame as an architect in the 1950s. She won fame as the youngest-ever Olympic champion gymnast. Mohandas Gandhi was later to achieve fame as the Mahatma who freed India from British rule. rise to fame [n phrase] e.g. The beginning of the century saw the rise to fame of the great New York hotels.
make a name for yourself/make your name to become well known, especially because of a particular skill or ability and especially as a result of hard work [v phrase] make a name for yourself as/make your name as e.g. She first made her name as a journalist at the age of 22. He is beginning to make a name for himself as a fashion designer with original ideas. make a name for yourself/make your name e.g. By 1930 Hemingway had written the early novels with which he made his name.
achieve notoriety to become famous for something immoral or criminal [v phrase] e.g. He achieved notoriety when the police raided his hotel. achieve a certain notoriety The club has achieved a certain notoriety as a gathering place for criminals and drug dealers.
rising star someone, especially a young person, who is quickly becoming famous [n C] e.g. She's one of the rising stars of politics, and is a very good public speaker. hit/make the headlines to suddenly become very famous and receive a lot of attention from the newspapers, television etc, sometimes only for a short time [v phrase] e.g. Kitty Kelly hit the headlines with her sensational book about Nancy Reagan. Eighteen months ago ozone hit the headlines, and we were told that earth was losing its vital protection. The cyclone in Bangladesh made the headlines for three days.
hit/make the big time an expression used especially in newspapers and on television meaning to suddenly become very famous, successful, and rich, especially after a long time trying to become famous [v phrase] e.g. He made the big time when he joined the Dallas Cowboys as a quarterback. After years of struggling to play in small concert halls and clubs, the group have finally hit the big time.
fame [n U] e.g. Money and fame meant nothing to them. They were not worldly people. Sylvia Plath's fame has grown since her death. She came to Hollywood in search of fame and fortune.
stardom great fame in popular music, films, sport etc [n U] e.g. Stardom is the dream of most young singers and actors. She feared that by having a baby she had sacrificed her chances of stardom.
renown permanent fame and admiration that has been gained because of something good such as great skill, knowledge, or bravery [n U] e.g. The general's victories brought renown to himself and his family for generations to come. Speakers of international renown will attend the conference.
star a very famous and successful actor, singer, musician, dancer, or sports player [n C] e.g. Mick Jogger is my favourite rock star. Elizabeth Taylor has been a famous movie star since the age often. These remarkable young actors are the stars of tomorrow. big/top star All the big stars will be there. He was one of the top movie stars of his generation.
celebrity a very famous and popular person, especially one who works for television or in the entertainment business [n C] e.g. Now he's a celebrity, people forget that he's also a poet. Many celebrities lend their support to charity events.
superstar a very successful star, especially one who is known all over the world [n C] e.g. The superstar Freddie Mercury died in 1992. Ronald Reagan was once a movie actor, but he was never a superstar.
personality someone who is well known, especially because they often appear on television and at public events [n C] e.g. She is a world class athlete and also a TV personality. For years, she was one of the best-loved personalities in the gossip columns of Fleet Street newspapers.
big name an informal word meaning a famous and successful performer [n C] e.g. Eric Hawkins, one of the big names of modern American dance. He's persuaded some of the biggest names in show business to appear in his film.
legend someone who has become very famous over a long period of time, especially because they are very good at a particular activity [n C] e.g. Pele is a football legend, the greatest player the world has ever seen. living legend (=someone who has become a legend while still alive) Mother Theresa has become a living legend, a modern saint.
household name a person, company, or product that is a household name is so famous that everyone knows their name [n C] e.g. Coca-Cola is a household name all aver the world.
unknown [adj] e.g. With a group of unknown actors and very little money, she set up her theatre. Gorbachev was virtually unknown in the West when he came to power. As well as singing the old favourites, he performed some relatively unknown pieces. unknown [n C] He chose for this film an instantly successful unknown, Steve McQueen.
obscure someone or something that is obscure is known about only by a few people, because they belong to a group, place, or subject that not many people know about or are interested in [adj] e.g. Only an obscure country newspaper carried the news of his death. Those lines were written by an obscure English poet named Mordaunt before the year 1790. My nephew has made a brilliant discovery in some obscure branch of physics. obscurity [n U ] After the accident he retired from acting and died in relative obscurity (= he was hardly known when he died).
a nobody someone very ordinary, who is not famous, important, or successful [n singular] e.g. Why not apply for it? You don't want to be a nobody for the rest of your life, do you? It's difficult for an ambitious young man to realize he's a nobody.
SECTION V Quotations 1. “Art is never finished, only abandoned.” Leonardo da Vinci
2. “The secret of life is in art.” 3. “It is through Art and through Art only that we can realize our perfection; through Art and Art only that we can shield ourselves from the sordid perils of actual existence” Oscar Wilde
4. “Art is much less important than life, but what a poor life without it.” Robert Motherwell
5. “Love the art in yourself, not yourself in the art” Konstantin Stanislavsky
6. “Love of beauty is Taste. The creation of beauty is Art.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
7. “Works of art are all that survive of incredibly gifted people.” Peter C. Wilson
Date: 2015-01-29; view: 2128
|