Unit 4 Amazing art

Using language

7 Listen to the conversation and choose the main idea.

Jill: Hi, Andrew! What did you think of the art exhibition?

Andrew: I thought there were so many interesting ideas! I especially liked the piece called Empty.

Jill: Really? But that was just a piece of paper painted all white. I thought it was boring. There was nothing to look at!

Andrew: But that's what's so clever about it! The viewer can decide what it means. It was really fun to look at.

Jill: Hmm... I'm afraid I don't agree. It had no meaning for me.

Andrew: How about Living Room? What did you think of it?

Jill: The one copying nothing but the artist's living room? I thought that was rather lazy! The artist didn't actually create anything, so that's not art!

Andrew: I thought it showed us that everyday objects can also be art. When I looked at the details like the coffee cup and the book, I could tell how the artist lives.

Jill: Well, I just wanted to take a rest on that sofa! What did you think of those cardboard boxes called Future?

Andrew: That was my favourite piece! I think the artist was asking, "In the future, will art be like the boxes? Like something we can easily get and throw away?" It really explored the nature of art.

Jill: If you say so... But to me it was just a pile of boxes anyone can make, and I could only think about how my cat would love to play in them! To be honest, I prefer traditional paintings and sculptures. They re easier to understand.

Andrew: I know what you mean, but I still think art should have different meanings for everyone.