©The Baltimore Museum of Art via CNN
Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- How often do you see paintings?
- How would you describe the typical uniform of a security guard in your country?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- meaningful /MEE-ning-fuhl/
- strike /strahyk/
- invest /in-VEST/
- abstract /ab-STRAKT/
- catalog /KAT-l-awg/
[adjective] – useful, serious, or important
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is such a meaningful book.
[verb] – to cause someone to have a feeling or idea about something
There was something about the song that struck him.
[verb] – to put money, effort, time, etc. into something to make a profit or get an advantage
He was deeply invested in the lives of circus performers.
[adjective] – used to refer to a type of painting, drawing, or sculpture that uses shapes, lines, and color in a way that does not try to represent the appearance of people or things
Jackson Pollock is an American painter known for his abstract artworks.
[noun] – a list of all the books, paintings, etc. that exist in a place
You can get a catalog from the lobby.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
The protectors of a museum are now its curators. The security team of the Baltimore Museum of Art has been responsible for selecting 25 unique works as part of an exhibit that is open from March 27 to July 10.
The “Guarding the Art” exhibit was developed after Amy Elias, one of the museum’s trustees, wondered what pieces of work the security guards find most meaningful as they spend more time with art than anyone else. Rob Kempton, who became part of BMA’s security team in 2016 had never been a security guard before. “Working at the BMA, being surrounded by art, was something that struck me as important,” he told a news agency. He became so invested in the world of art that he completed a degree in Museum Studies at Johns Hopkins University after joining the museum. Guarding the Art allowed him to sharpen skills he had developed in his studies and “learn real hands-on experience in the gallery,” he said. He chose two abstract paintings to include in the show: Grace Hartigan’s Interior, “The Creeks” (1957), and Alma Thomas’ Evening Glow (1972).
It took the guards two years to select works, design the catalog, and plan visitor tours. According to Asma Naeem, BMA’s chief curator, Guarding the Art is a “simple idea” but it also raises important questions such as “who is art for?” and “who gets to talk about the arts?” Giving security guards the opportunity to organize an art show is “something that every museum can do,” said Elias.
The “Guarding the Art” exhibit was developed after Amy Elias, one of the museum’s trustees, wondered what pieces of work the security guards find most meaningful as they spend more time with art than anyone else. Rob Kempton, who became part of BMA’s security team in 2016 had never been a security guard before. “Working at the BMA, being surrounded by art, was something that struck me as important,” he told a news agency. He became so invested in the world of art that he completed a degree in Museum Studies at Johns Hopkins University after joining the museum. Guarding the Art allowed him to sharpen skills he had developed in his studies and “learn real hands-on experience in the gallery,” he said. He chose two abstract paintings to include in the show: Grace Hartigan’s Interior, “The Creeks” (1957), and Alma Thomas’ Evening Glow (1972).
It took the guards two years to select works, design the catalog, and plan visitor tours. According to Asma Naeem, BMA’s chief curator, Guarding the Art is a “simple idea” but it also raises important questions such as “who is art for?” and “who gets to talk about the arts?” Giving security guards the opportunity to organize an art show is “something that every museum can do,” said Elias.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- Who are the new curators of the Baltimore Museum of Art?
- How was the “Guarding the Art” exhibit developed?
- What did Kempton do after being invested in the world of art?
- How long did it take for the guards to plan visitor tours?
- What questions does “Guarding the Art” raise?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Describe a typical museum in your country.
- Who are some of your favorite artists/painters?
- If you were to curate your own exhibit, what kind of artworks are you going to display?
- Do you think anyone can curate a museum exhibit?
- In your opinion, what is the importance of art in people’s lives?