VOA标准英语2011--Exhibit Showcases Islamic Gift-Giving Tradition

Exhibit Showcases Islamic Gift-Giving Tradition

Islam has spread to cultures and regions far beyond its birthplace on the Arabian peninsula. Among its traditions is the value placed on gift giving These gifts, from over the centuries, are works of art which often bear motifs¹ associated with Islam.

That Muslim tradition of gift giving is the focus of an exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston.

The theme of the exhibit, which bears works ranging from the 8th to the 19th centuries, is in its title: “Gifts of the Sultan: The Art of Giving at the Islamic Courts.”

Curator Francesca Leoni says every piece on display reflects that concept. “This exhibition uses gift exchange as the framework.”

A decorative² plate at the entrance is inscribed³ with a verse from the Koran; ”He who believes in recompense from God is generous with gifts.”

According to Leoni, gift giving has special meaning in the Muslim world. “In the Islamic world, generosity⁴ has always been a very important value. It was sort of a profound ethical⁵ duty to share things with the ones in need.”

Many of the finest items on display were gifts given for political reasons. An ink-and-gold depiction⁶ of an Indian mogul receiving an ambassador from Persia in the 17th century is owned by Queen Elizabeth II.

The museum says Islam represented itself to outsiders through the exchange of gifts, whether the purpose was personal, political or pious⁷.

A finely-crafted backgammon set, painted ceramic⁸ tiles and tapestries⁹ are also among the gifts on display. Many items feature arabesques¹⁰ and geometric patterns because Islam discourages the depiction of humans and animals.

“There is the ubiquitous use of geometry and geometric patterns from Spain to central Asia and Indonesia," says Leoni. "Then each one of these countries gives its own input¹¹ and twist.”

Karen White came to see the show and was impressed by the richness of these works. “I am astounded¹² at the detail, the different colors.”

According to Leoni, Arabic calligraphy¹³ influenced artists far from the Arabian peninsula, who came to know the language through the sacred writings of the Quran.

“The transformation¹⁴ of language, of a beautiful script into writing, is really associated with the importance that the written word has had in Islam from the very beginning.”

For people from Muslim countries, transforming the written word into art is familiar.

“It is striking to the eye, and that definitely helped propagate the religion as a whole, because once you mix religion and art and you do it beautifully, you allow the religion to grow,” says Farajin, another visitor to the museum.

Some of the objects remind Houston resident Cyrus Mayeh of his childhood in Iran. “Especially looking at the carpets, Persian carpets, and I could feel sitting on those carpets and that is a special feeling that I get from it.”

That feeling of wonder is the enduring legacy¹⁵ of the works of art on display. Even centuries after they were first given as gifts, the pieces continue to inspire and give pleasure to those who view them.

1 motifs   

n. （文艺作品等的）主题( motif的名词复数 )；中心思想；基本模式；基本图案

参考例句：

• I try to develop beyond the old motifs. 我力求对传统的花纹图案做到推陈出新。 来自辞典例句
• American Dream is one of the most important motifs of American literature. “美国梦”是美国文学最重要的母题之一。 来自互联网

2 decorative   

adj.装饰的，可作装饰的

参考例句：

• This ware is suitable for decorative purpose but unsuitable for utility.这种器皿中看不中用。
• The style is ornate and highly decorative.这种风格很华丽，而且装饰效果很好。

3 inscribed   

v.写，刻( inscribe的过去式和过去分词 )；内接

参考例句：

• His name was inscribed on the trophy. 他的名字刻在奖杯上。
• The names of the dead were inscribed on the wall. 死者的名字被刻在墙上。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 generosity   

n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为

参考例句：

• We should match their generosity with our own.我们应该像他们一样慷慨大方。
• We adore them for their generosity.我们钦佩他们的慷慨。

5 ethical   

adj.伦理的，道德的，合乎道德的

参考例句：

• It is necessary to get the youth to have a high ethical concept.必须使青年具有高度的道德观念。
• It was a debate which aroused fervent ethical arguments.那是一场引发强烈的伦理道德争论的辩论。

6 depiction   

n.描述

参考例句：

• Double rhythms, resounding through the lyric depiction and connecting with each other, indicate the thespian place of mankind and the cognition of the writer to this thespian place. 这双重旋律互为表里，表明了人类的某种悲剧性处境以及作家对这种悲剧性处境的感受和认识。
• A realistic depiction of scenes from everyday domestic life. 日常家居生活的写实画。

7 pious   

adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的

参考例句：

• Alexander is a pious follower of the faith.亚历山大是个虔诚的信徒。
• Her mother was a pious Christian.她母亲是一个虔诚的基督教徒。

8 ceramic   

n.制陶业，陶器，陶瓷工艺

参考例句：

• The order for ceramic tiles has been booked in.瓷砖的订单已登记下来了。
• Some ceramic works of art are shown in this exhibition.这次展览会上展出了一些陶瓷艺术品。

9 tapestries   

n.挂毯( tapestry的名词复数 )；绣帷，织锦v.用挂毯（或绣帷）装饰( tapestry的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• The wall of the banqueting hall were hung with tapestries. 宴会厅的墙上挂有壁毯。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The rooms were hung with tapestries. 房间里都装饰着挂毯。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 arabesques   

n.阿拉伯式花饰( arabesque的名词复数 )；错综图饰；阿拉伯图案；阿拉贝斯克芭蕾舞姿（独脚站立，手前伸，另一脚一手向后伸）

参考例句：

11 input   

n.输入(物)；投入；vt.把(数据等)输入计算机

参考例句：

• I will forever be grateful for his considerable input.我将永远感激他的大量投入。
• All this information had to be input onto the computer.所有这些信息都必须输入计算机。

12 astounded   

v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶

参考例句：

• His arrogance astounded her. 他的傲慢使她震惊。
• How can you say that? I'm absolutely astounded. 你怎么能说出那种话？我感到大为震惊。

13 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。

14 transformation   

n.变化；改造；转变

参考例句：

• Going to college brought about a dramatic transformation in her outlook.上大学使她的观念发生了巨大的变化。
• He was struggling to make the transformation from single man to responsible husband.他正在努力使自己由单身汉变为可靠的丈夫。

15 legacy   

n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西

参考例句：

• They are the most precious cultural legacy our forefathers left.它们是我们祖先留下来的最宝贵的文化遗产。
• He thinks the legacy is a gift from the Gods.他认为这笔遗产是天赐之物。