VOA慢速英语2014 移民希望振兴中国古代艺术

 

Immigrant Hopes To Renew Ancient Chinese Art 移民希望振兴中国古代艺术

Welcome to American Mosaic¹ from VOA Learning English.  I’m June Simms.

The Chinese art of paper cutting has a long history.  The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has recognized the art, called Jianzhi, on its Intangible Cultural Heritage List.  But, Jianzhi is at risk of disappearing. Caty Weaver² tells us about a Chinese immigrant to the U.S. who hopes to bring the art back to life.

Voyo Woo loves paper cutting.

“It is called a dragon of boat racing³.”

And she works hard to celebrate the ancient art form.

“The first, earliest paper cutting was found in China 1500 years ago.”

On a recent Saturday, Ms. Woo held a paper cutting show at a shopping center near Washington.  She demonstrated the art for hours to crowds at the center.

“I really like it. I get so much fun and peace doing it. So, I am just kind of hoping that more people will learn about this art that is kind of dying and enjoy it like I do.”

Voyo Woo began to study the art of Jianzhi as a 14-year-old in her hometown in southeastern China. She says all the students at school had to learn the art. But she says she discovered a special love for it. So, her teacher gave her extra training after class.

“It was actually a mandatory⁴ art class for everybody.  But I just found a special passion for it.  So my teacher, she was willing to give me extra tutoring after class to train me in paper cutting.”

Later, she won second prize in a national painting and calligraphy⁵ competition.

“Paper is the easiest material that you can find. You can just turn it into beautiful, intricate art. I think it is like magic to me.”

Ms. Woo came to the U.S. after she finished college in 2008. Soon after, she became involved in an event to support and expand understanding of Chinese paper cutting. She has been invited to demonstrate the art at a wide collection of events.  She also has shown her skill at famed museums like the Smithsonian Institution’s Freer and Sackler art galleries in Washington.

“I saw so many people coming to me and asking me. They were amazed. I think it is important to promote the art form to American people or anyone who is interested. Maybe it will lead to another thriving of this art form back in China.”

Ms. Woo says paper cutting represents Chinese cultural values, history and stories of people’s lives.  She uses the art as a tool to present Chinese culture to people who know little about it.

Ms. Woo placed examples of her art around her as she demonstrated paper cutting at the shopping center. Some shoppers, like Ann Russ, took part in a workshop. Ms. Russ was struck by the finely detailed⁶ nature of the work. She said it put her at ease.

“I like to know about Chinese art, specifically because it is very delicate. And I like the focus that it requires because it takes me out of everything. And we have to concentrate on something very closely. It is almost relaxing to put that much effort into it.”

Voyo Woo says Chinese art is for all people.

“It is amazing how Chinese art can resonate, can echo with people from other cultural backgrounds.”

1 mosaic   

n./adj.镶嵌细工的，镶嵌工艺品的，嵌花式的

参考例句：

• The sky this morning is a mosaic of blue and white.今天早上的天空是幅蓝白相间的画面。
• The image mosaic is a troublesome work.图象镶嵌是个麻烦的工作。

2 weaver   

n.织布工；编织者

参考例句：

• She was a fast weaver and the cloth was very good.她织布织得很快，而且布的质量很好。
• The eager weaver did not notice my confusion.热心的纺织工人没有注意到我的狼狈相。

3 racing   

n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的

参考例句：

• I was watching the racing on television last night.昨晚我在电视上看赛马。
• The two racing drivers fenced for a chance to gain the lead.两个赛车手伺机竞相领先。

4 mandatory   

adj.命令的；强制的；义务的；n.受托者

参考例句：

• It's mandatory to pay taxes.缴税是义务性的。
• There is no mandatory paid annual leave in the U.S.美国没有强制带薪年假。

5 calligraphy   

n.书法

参考例句：

• At the calligraphy competition,people asked him to write a few characters.书法比赛会上，人们请他留字。
• His calligraphy is vigorous and forceful.他的书法苍劲有力。

6 detailed   

adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的

参考例句：

• He had made a detailed study of the terrain.他对地形作了缜密的研究。
• A detailed list of our publications is available on request.我们的出版物有一份详细的目录备索。