Lesson 18

Modern sculpture rarely surprises us any more.
现代雕塑再也无法引起我们的惊奇了。
The idea that modern art can only be seen in museums is mistaken.
现代艺术只能在博物馆里看到这个想法是错误的。
Even people who take no interest in art cannot have failed to notice examples of modern sculpture on display in public places.
甚至那些对艺术不感兴趣的人，也一定注意到了在公共场所展出的现代雕塑。
Strange forms stand in gardens, and outside buildings and shops.
奇怪的形状矗立在花园里，以及建筑物和商店外面。
We have got quite used to them.
我们已经相当习惯于它们了。
Some so-called 'modern' pieces have been on display for nearly eighty years.
一些所谓的“现代”艺术品已经展出了将近八十年。
In spite of this, some people—including myself—were surprised by a recent exhibition of modern sculpture.
尽管如此，一些人——包括我自己在内——还是被最近的一个现代雕塑展览震惊了。
The first thing I saw when I entered the art gallery was a notice which said: 'Do not touch the exhibits.
当我进入艺术馆时，我看到的第一件事是一个写着“不要触摸展品”的通知。
Some of them are dangerous!
他们中的一些很危险！
The objects on display were pieces of moving sculpture.
展出的这些物体是动态雕塑作品。
Oddly shaped forms that are suspended from the ceiling and move in response to a gust of wind are quite familiar to everybody.
那些悬挂在天花板上、随风而动的奇形怪状的物体，对每个人来说都是非常熟悉的。
These objects, however, were different.
然而，这些物体是不同的。
Lined up against the wall, there were long thin wires attached to metal spheres.
排成一排靠在墙上，有长而细的金属丝连接在金属球上。
The spheres had been magnetized and attracted or repelled each other all the time.
这些球体已经被磁化，并且始终相互吸引或排斥。
In the centre of the hall, there were a number of tall structures which contained coloured lights.
在大厅的中心，有一些包含彩色灯光的高大结构。
These lights flickered continuously like traffic lights which have gone mad.
这些灯持续闪烁，就像发了疯的交通信号灯一样。
Sparks were emitted from small black boxes and red lamps flashed on and off angrily.
火花从小的黑盒子中冒出，红色的灯愤怒地闪烁着。
It was rather like an exhibition of prehistoric electronic equipment.
这相当像是一场史前电子设备的展览。
These peculiar forms not only seemed designed to shock people emotionally, but to give them electric shocks as well
这些奇特的形状不仅似乎被设计成在情感上震惊人们，而且还给他们电击。