Art galleries waste of time for kids, says artist (N.America)

One of Britain's more thought-provoking artists has said taking children to art galleries is "a total waste of time". Jake Chapman made his controversial comments in an interview with the Independent newspaper. He also made other comments that might anger parents, child development experts, and children. He accused parents of being "arrogant" for thinking children could understand modern art. He said to show a child a painting by the American artist Jackson Pollock was an "insult" to the artist. Pollock pioneered the style of art known as abstract expressionism. Chapman explained that it's like telling the artist his work is "as moronic as a child". He added: "Children are not human yet."

Chapman's comments have created a stir in the art world. Award-winning artist Anthony Gormley said: "I don't think art is to be understood. It's to be experienced….It is to be felt. Feeling comes before understanding." A spokesman from London's National Gallery said: "Children benefit a great deal from visiting art galleries and museums. It widens their horizons." BBC Arts Editor Will Gompertz suggested Chapman's comments were designed to manipulate the media to get more attention. He said: "The formula is simple: When you have an exhibition to promote, say something mildly inflammatory to the press, and watch the column inches…and ticket sales soar."

1. TRUE / FALSE:Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).

a.An American artist said art galleries wasted children's time.T / F

b.The artist said children were able to understand modern art.T / F

c.The artist said most art was insulting to children.T / F

d.The artist said children weren't yet human.T / F

e.Many people in the art world are talking about the artist's comments.T / F

f.Anthony Gormley said art is felt before it is understood.T / F

g.A BBC arts editor said the comments were made for publicity reasons.T / F

h.The editor said a formula makes the press say inflammatory things.T / F
COMPREHENSION

1.Where is the controversial artist from?

2.To whom did the artist make his comments?

3.What did the artist accuse parents of being?

4.What did Jackson Pollock do to abstract expressionism?

5.What did the artist say about children?

6.What did Anthony Gormley say happened first when looking at art?

7.What did the National Gallery say children benefit from?

8.What did the National Gallery say was broadened?

9.What did a BBC editor say the comments manipulated?

10.What happens to ticket sales after more media exposure?

答案

TRUE / FALSE

a F b F c F d T e T f T g T h F

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.Britain

2.A newspaper

3.Arrogant

4.He pioneered it

5.They are not human yet

6.Feeling

7.Visiting art galleries

8.Horizons

9.The media

10.They soar