[00:01.080]--- lesson 18 Electric currents in modern art
[00:08.000]--- Listen to the tape then answer the question below.
[00:13.720]--- How might some of the exhibits have been dangerous?
[00:19.320]Modern sculpture rarely surprises us any more.
[00:23.440]The idea that modern art can only be seen in museums is mistaken.
[00:29.760]Even people who take no interest in art cannot have failed to notice examples of modern sculpture on display in public places.
[00:39.480]Strange forms stand in gardens, and outside buildings and shops.
[00:45.280]We have got quite used to them.
[00:47.960]Some so-called 'modern' pieces have been on display for nearly eighty years.
[00:54.160]In spite of this, some people -- including myself -- were surprised by a recent exhibition of modern sculpture.
[01:03.200]The first thing I saw when I entered the art gallery was a notice which said: 'Do not touch the exhibits. Some of them are dangerous!'
[01:13.280]The objects on display were pieces of moving sculpture.
[01:17.160]Oddly shaped forms that are suspended from the ceiling and move in response to a gust of wind are quite familiar to everybody.
[01:25.880]These objects, however, were different. Lined up against the wall, there were long thin wires attached to metal spheres.
[01:35.560]The spheres had been magnetized and attracted or repelled each other all the time.
[01:42.280]In the centre of the hall, there were a number of tall structures which contained coloured lights.
[01:48.840]These lights flickered continuously like traffic lights which have gone mad.
[01:54.240]Sparks were emitted from small black boxes and red lamps flashed on and off angrily.
[02:01.040]It was rather like an exhibition of prehistoric electronic equipment.
[02:06.560]These peculiar forms not only seemed designed to shock people emotionally,
[02:12.040]but to give them electric shocks as well!