人教高中英语高二上UNIT3-4

   

We see art everywhere around us. In public parks, city squares, shopping streets and public buildings, we find modern art objects on display. Classical¹ art, such as valuable paintings, precious² statues and other fine arts, usually ends up in the collections of museums, companies or rich people. Although we can see some of it in museums, those other art collections are not open to the public.
        Both art and architecture³ have a history of ages. All forms and ways of expressing beauty have been explored. In the case of architecture, many buildings that were designed in the past have proven to be beautiful and served their purposes. Governments and companies could save millions of dollars by building or copying designs of architecture of buildings from the past. There are still many designs for buildings made by famous architects⁴ that were never realised. Besides, some people find modern architecture ugly. So why should we pay a lot of money to architects for designing new buildings?
        The same holds for modern art, both paintings and statues. Many art objects that have been created in the past are now covered by dust in storerooms. These storerooms contain enough art to decorate all public buildings and other public places. There is no need to create more art, and as with modern architecture, many people find new art difficult to understand or appreciate.
        Given these facts, why are architects and artists asked to create new art works⁶? And why are we interested in creating new art and architecture, instead of using or copying what was made in the past? The answers to these questions have to do with the function of art in society today.
        First of all, the function of art is to decorate. By placing art works in parks and hanging paintings or drawings on the walls we make our living environment more beautiful. When our eyes move across an empty wall they will for a few moments rest on a painting or other kind of work hung there. It is a moment of comfort and makes people feel good. Sometimes, paintings are not beautiful at first glance. But looking at them and thinking about them for a while or repeated viewing will help us to learn to appreciate them.
        Another function of art is enriching⁷ real life, as art is part of everyday life. Art helps people to learn to think creatively. In art things are not always what they seem to be. Art objects in a park are sometimes funny. Very often you can hardly tell what they are. People need such creative moments. It helps them to balance their minds. When we see art like that all around us, it helps to make life more interesting.
        Finally, art is often seen as a way to instruct the audience. Statues of heroes from the past remind us of our history. Paintings and other art objects can also help us to realise⁵ which goals we should set for ourselves and inspire us in our everyday work.
        Because ideas about society change and every period of time has its own taste, there is always a need for new art. We can still appreciate art works made in the past for their beauty, but they are often too valuable to be placed in public buildings. Besides, they also often need special protection⁸.

1 classical   

adj.古典的；古典文学的；正统派的；古典主义的

参考例句：

• This classical poem is hard to understand.这首古诗很费解。
• She listens to classical music for relaxation.她听古典音乐放松。

2 precious   

adj.宝贵的，珍贵的，过于精致的，珍爱的

参考例句：

• Each life is precious.生命都是宝贵的。
• Spring rain is as precious as oil.春雨贵如油。

3 architecture   

n.建筑学，建筑术；建筑物；组织，结构

参考例句：

• I'm interested in classical architecture.我喜爱古典建筑风格。
• She studied architecture and art history at the university.她在大学里学习建筑和艺术史。

4 architects   

n.建筑师( architect的名词复数 )；设计师；缔造者；创造者

参考例句：

• He was one of the principal architects of the revolution. 他是那次革命的主要发动者之一。
• He was one of the architects of the republic. 他是这个共和国的缔造者之一。 来自辞典例句

5 realise   

v.觉悟；明白；实现；兑现

参考例句：

• Wish you realise your dreams as early as possible!祝愿您早日实现自己的梦想！
• How much did you realise on the house?这所房子你们出售后赚了多少钱？

6 works   

n.作品，著作；工厂，活动部件，机件

参考例句：

• We expect writers to produce more and better works.我们期望作家们写出更多更好的作品。
• The novel is regarded as one of the classic works.这篇小说被公认为是最优秀的作品之一。

7 enriching   

使富有( enrich的现在分词 )； 使富裕； 充实； 使丰富

参考例句：

• It was a dark enriching influence she had not known before. 这是一种她从来未感受到的朦胧而又不断丰美的感化力量。
• His hopes of enriching me perished now. 他想让我做个富家子的打算，如今已经化为泡影了。

8 protection   

n.保护，防卫，保护制度

参考例句：

• The protection of the country is the duty of everyone.保卫国家是每个人的责任。
• The young in our society need care and protection.我们社会的年轻人需要关怀和照顾。