VOA标准英语2011--Art Show Explores African American Ident

Art Show Explores African American Identity

A new exhibit at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington is showcasing the work of African-American artists working over the past three decades. The exhibit of paintings, drawings, photographs and sculptures is called “30 Americans” and examines black identity in the United States. The idea is that African Americans are simply Americans.
Sarah Newman, Curator of Contemporary Art at the Corcoran, says the show is as diverse as the artists themselves.
"This exhibit is just so remarkable¹ because it gives a sense of the last 30 years really, not only in contemporary African American art but in contemporary art in general." she said. "And you really get a sense on how generations interact with each other and you get a sense of the way identity has been figured throughout time."
The pieces come from the Rubbell Family Collection in Miami. Donald Rubbell says the show examines themes such as slavery, civil rights, and the representation of blacks in popular culture.
“A lot of the artworks here deal with very specific points in time - sometimes very difficult times in history, sometimes very joyous² times in history,” he said.
Photographer Hank Willis Thomas combines advertising³ photography with images that refer to slavery. One is called “Branded Head.”
“And ‘Branded Head' to me speaks to me about how African-American slaves were branded as a sign of ownership and how today so many of their decendents brand themselves with corporate⁴ brands that we wear,” he said.
Thomas has a separate exhibit at the Corcoran with more of his photographs.
“Basketball and sports are a major American spectacle," he said. "A major American spectacle of the early 20th century was lynching.”
Baronhawk Williams came to see the artwork. He was impressed by a painting from artist Kahinde Wiley.
“You normally wouldn’t see a beautiful painting of a black male. Thank you. I’ve been waiting to see something like this for 23 years,” he said.
Painter Nina Chanel Abney created portraits.
“Rubber gloves are typically something I use throughout my work, and I initially⁵ started to use them to identify figures who are maybe protecting themselves from harm, or maybe being involved in some type of dirty work that they don’t want to take responsibility for,” she said.
Shinique Smith, a sculptor⁶, says she finds inspiration in the urban landscape. She uses trash as treasure, recycling used clothing, old magazines, even garbage she finds on the street. She used a variety of materials to create her female fantasy warrior⁷.
“Plastic tablecloths⁸, there’s designer clothing mixed with old futon covers," she said. "So in some sense we're all connected by the things we purchase and discard through consumerism."
The exhibit is on the second stop of a three-city tour in the United States and will be at the Corcoran through mid-February 2012.

1 remarkable   

adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的

参考例句：

• She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
• These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。

2 joyous   

adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的

参考例句：

• The lively dance heightened the joyous atmosphere of the scene.轻快的舞蹈给这场戏渲染了欢乐气氛。
• They conveyed the joyous news to us soon.他们把这一佳音很快地传递给我们。

3 advertising   

n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的

参考例句：

• Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
• The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。

4 corporate   

adj.共同的，全体的；公司的，企业的

参考例句：

• This is our corporate responsibility.这是我们共同的责任。
• His corporate's life will be as short as a rabbit's tail.他的公司的寿命是兔子尾巴长不了。

5 initially   

adv.最初，开始

参考例句：

• The ban was initially opposed by the US.这一禁令首先遭到美国的反对。
• Feathers initially developed from insect scales.羽毛最初由昆虫的翅瓣演化而来。

6 sculptor   

n.雕刻家，雕刻家

参考例句：

• A sculptor forms her material.雕塑家把材料塑造成雕塑品。
• The sculptor rounded the clay into a sphere.那位雕塑家把黏土做成了一个球状。

7 warrior   

n.勇士，武士，斗士

参考例句：

• The young man is a bold warrior.这个年轻人是个很英勇的武士。
• A true warrior values glory and honor above life.一个真正的勇士珍视荣誉胜过生命。

8 tablecloths   

n.桌布，台布( tablecloth的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Champagne corks popped, and on lace tablecloths seven-course dinners were laid. 桌上铺着带装饰图案的网织的桌布，上面是七道菜的晚餐。 来自飘（部分）
• At the moment the cause of her concern was a pile of soiled tablecloths. 此刻她关心的事是一堆弄脏了的台布。 来自辞典例句