VOA标准英语2009年-North Korean Artists Denied Visas to A

 

Artists from various countries have arrived in the Queensland state capital, Brisbane, for the Sixth Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art.

Phil Mercer | Sydney 08 December 2009

Australia has refused to issue visas to artists from North Korea for a special exhibition in Brisbane.  For the first time, art specifically commissioned from North Korea has gone on display in Australia.  The show's curator is accusing the federal government of censorship.    

Artists from various countries have arrived in the Queensland state capital, Brisbane, for the Sixth Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art.

They have been invited to Australia to explain their creations to thousands of visitors.  That invitation was also extended to a group of North Korean artists, who are displaying their work in Australia for the first time.

However, their visa applications have been rejected by immigration officials in Canberra, insist their decision is part of the government's response to Pyongyang's missile and nuclear weapons programs.

In a statement, Australia's immigration department says the artists invited to Brisbane were from a studio that operates under the guidance of North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-il.

Officials say the studio produces propaganda artworks that glorify¹ the North Korean government.

Organizers of the art festival have accused Australian authorities of censoring² free debate.

The exhibition's curator, Nick Bonner, is disappointed the North Koreans will not be allowed to explain their work.

"There's a classic one here which is lads walking to work, it's early morning you can see on the left hand side there's a band which is very typical of these big work institutions," he said.  "It's an image that is very North Korean, but the way it's being treated is exceptional and this is the first time anyone has ever seen this style of art in the country [Australia]."

The Queensland exhibition will feature the work of 160 artists from 25 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including Tibet, Turkey, Iran and Burma.  It runs through this week.

Australia and North Korea maintain diplomatic relations, which have been strained in recent times because of Pyongyang's missile testing program and its nuclear ambitions.

 

1 glorify   

vt.颂扬，赞美，使增光，美化

参考例句：

• Politicians have complained that the media glorify drugs.政治家们抱怨媒体美化毒品。
• We are all committed to serving the Lord and glorifying His name in the best way we know.我们全心全意敬奉上帝，竭尽所能颂扬他的美名。

2 censoring   

删剪（书籍、电影等中被认为犯忌、违反道德或政治上危险的内容）( censor的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Therefore, exhibitors shall not make use of these materials before censoring. 展商在审查前不可使用这些资料。
• The company then said it would end self-censoring search results, putting it at odds with Beijing. 随后该公司表示，将停止自我审查搜索结果，从而与中国政府发生对抗。