VOA标准英语2012--Crushed Cars as Art

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While the Guggenheim is not a parking garage, dozens of cars have been parked, so to speak, on each level of its spiraling space. Chamberlain reshaped the cars in a way that's consistent with the exhibit's name, Choices. Curator Susan Davidson explains that Chamberlain assembled materials to create three dimensional collages⁴. 

"He is able to choose the positioning of the colors, the fit of the shapes that he brings together, the sound that the metal makes when he assembles it," said Davidson.

She says Chamberlain used common materials in an uncommon⁵ way. He sculpted⁶ these objects, which look like beanbags, from urethane foam⁷. 

This abstraction is made of plastic. Aluminum⁸ foil is the material for the towering sculpture in the Guggenheim foyer. But his primary resource was old cars. 

Museum Director Richard Armstrong says Chamberlain's work is unique. 

"[Chamberlain's work embodies] a free spirit that helps define and redefine mid-20th century art," said Armstrong.

Susan Davidson says Chamberlain had the spirit of an American rebel much like Rock and Roll legend Elvis Presley.

Chamberlain's works are positioned away from the walls so viewers can see them from all sides. Freelance writer Deborah Bearg says the sculptures offer the imagination an infinity⁹ of images. 

"Everytime you're looking, you're going to see something else," Bearg explained. "I'm sure if I walk back through this part of it today, I'll see very different images."

The exhibit is drawing visitors from New York and far away.

Waynette Ballengee from Louisiana says the show initially¹⁰ struck her as junk.

"But as I traveled up the rotunda¹¹, it started to make more sense to me," said Ballengee. "And I thought that it became more interesting, as he changed the way that he worked with the material."

Declan Kennedy, from Ireland, says he was impressed with the building, not the exhibit.

"I think it just looks like a lot of scrunched¹² up metal. So it doesn't appeal to me," said Kennedy.

Susan Davidson says Chamberlain told her that the secret to artistic¹³ success is insanity¹⁴. He added that art and criminality draw inspiration from the individual's own peculiarities¹⁵. He preferred art. 

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