VOA标准英语2014--French Court Convicts South African Artist of Indecent Exposure

 

French Court Convicts South African Artist of Indecent Exposure 

WASHINGTON — A French court has convicted South African performance artist Steven Cohen of indecent exposure during an appearance he made in central Paris last year. The court imposed no penalty on the controversial artist.

Cohen creates flamboyant¹ costumes and makeup² for his performances at his home in the northern French city of Lille. 

"In 20 years I must have made a hundred costumes.  Each costume is a work.  For me, it’s important what I put on, but it's important what I take off," said Cohen.

It's the taking off that gets the 51-year-old artist in trouble. Before his arrest last fall in Paris, he also was accused of indecent exposure in New York, Japan and in his native South Africa. He says it is part of his artwork, which explores the issues of outsider identity, death and sexuality, using human body, sculpture and disguise. Cohen's work has been described as both glamorous³ and monstrous⁴. 

"Shocking is the first level we break through to get to understanding what is underneath⁵ the appearance of things. For me it's about staying out of the system, rather then breaking into and taking it over," said Cohen.

Last September, Cohen stepped out of a car near France's most famous landmark⁶, dressed in high-heeled platform shoes and long red gloves, and a rooster tied to his body. That's what French authorities found objectionable.

The artist says he is frustrated⁷ that he was not allowed to finish his performance.  He also finds his conviction without penalty particularly offensive.

But, Cohen said, this will not deter⁸ him.

"I don't like to say what I'm going to do next because I like to surprise myself," said Cohen.

 

After 150 performances, Cohen says he still has new ground to explore, but it may not be in France.

1 flamboyant   

adj.火焰般的，华丽的，炫耀的

参考例句：

• His clothes were rather flamboyant for such a serious occasion.他的衣着在这种严肃场合太浮夸了。
• The King's flamboyant lifestyle is well known.国王的奢华生活方式是人尽皆知的。

2 makeup   

n.组织；性格；化装品

参考例句：

• Those who failed the exam take a makeup exam.这次考试不及格的人必须参加补考。
• Do you think her beauty could makeup for her stupidity?你认为她的美丽能弥补她的愚蠢吗？

3 glamorous   

adj.富有魅力的；美丽动人的；令人向往的

参考例句：

• The south coast is less glamorous but full of clean and attractive hotels.南海岸魅力稍逊，但却有很多干净漂亮的宾馆。
• It is hard work and not a glamorous job as portrayed by the media.这是份苦差，并非像媒体描绘的那般令人向往。

4 monstrous   

adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的

参考例句：

• The smoke began to whirl and grew into a monstrous column.浓烟开始盘旋上升，形成了一个巨大的烟柱。
• Your behaviour in class is monstrous!你在课堂上的行为真是丢人！

5 underneath   

adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面

参考例句：

• Working underneath the car is always a messy job.在汽车底下工作是件脏活。
• She wore a coat with a dress underneath.她穿着一件大衣，里面套着一条连衣裙。

6 landmark   

n.陆标，划时代的事，地界标

参考例句：

• The Russian Revolution represents a landmark in world history.俄国革命是世界历史上的一个里程碑。
• The tower was once a landmark for ships.这座塔曾是船只的陆标。

7 frustrated   

adj.挫败的，失意的，泄气的v.使不成功( frustrate的过去式和过去分词 )；挫败；使受挫折；令人沮丧

参考例句：

• It's very easy to get frustrated in this job. 这个工作很容易令人懊恼。
• The bad weather frustrated all our hopes of going out. 恶劣的天气破坏了我们出行的愿望。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 deter   

vt.阻止，使不敢，吓住

参考例句：

• Failure did not deter us from trying it again.失败并没有能阻挡我们再次进行试验。
• Dogs can deter unwelcome intruders.狗能够阻拦不受欢迎的闯入者。