©Reuters/KIM KYUNG-HOON
Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What comes to mind when you hear the term “digital museum”?
- How do you imagine it might be different from a traditional museum?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- beneath /bih-NEETH/
- construction /kuhn-STRUHK-shuhn/
- medical /MED-i-kuhl /
- facility /fuh-SIL-i-tee/
- encounter /en-KOUN-ter/
[preposition] – in or to a lower position than someone or something, under someone or something
The treasure was hidden beneath the old oak tree.
[noun] – the work of building or making something, especially buildings, bridges, etc.
The construction of the new bridge is progressing ahead of schedule.
[adjective] – related to the treatment of illness and injuries
The hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art medical facilities to provide excellent patient care.
[noun] – a place, especially including buildings, where a particular activity happens
The sports facility includes a gym, swimming pool, and tennis courts for the residents to enjoy.
[noun] – a meeting, especially one that happens by chance
The unexpected encounter with a rare bird made the nature walk even more memorable.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
In the vibrant heart of Tokyo’s newest large-scale development, beneath the city’s tallest skyscraper, a dedicated team of builders and digital artists is swiftly creating an extraordinary museum. This distinctive space, envisioned by the global collective of artists known as teamLab, previously set a Guinness World Record with over 2 million visitors in 2019 at their Borderless Museum on Odaiba island. Showcasing digital art pieces seamlessly blending into one another, the museum invites visitors to explore at their own pace. Closed last year for redevelopment by Mori Building, a prominent Japanese developer, the museum is set to reopen in February at the Azabudai Hills complex in central Tokyo. Mori Building’s strategic vision integrates cultural attractions into their business and residential projects, making the relocation of TeamLab’s Borderless Museum central to their plan. The upcoming opening of the Mori JP Tower, standing at 330 meters, anchors this development, surrounded by ongoing construction of shopping areas, homes,medical facilities, and a school.
Adding to the anticipation, teamLab is working on new installations for the Borderless facility, such as “Flowers and People,” a continuous computer projection of blooming petals, and “Bubble Universe,” a mirrored room with twinkling bulbs creating an illusion of infinity. Founder Toshiyuki Inoko aims to provide visitors with a unique and immersive encounter within this expansive realm dedicated to digital art, capturing the beauty of continuity.
Adding to the anticipation, teamLab is working on new installations for the Borderless facility, such as “Flowers and People,” a continuous computer projection of blooming petals, and “Bubble Universe,” a mirrored room with twinkling bulbs creating an illusion of infinity. Founder Toshiyuki Inoko aims to provide visitors with a unique and immersive encounter within this expansive realm dedicated to digital art, capturing the beauty of continuity.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- Where is the new museum being built, and who is involved in its creation?
- What achievement did teamLab’s Borderless museum have in 2019, and where was it located?
- Why was the museum closed last year, and when is it scheduled to reopen?
- According to the article, what is Mori Building’s strategic vision for their projects?
- What are two examples of new installations that teamLab is working on for the Borderless facility?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever visited a museum that showcases digital art? If yes, what was your experience like? If not, would you be interested in exploring a museum like the one described in the article?
- Do you live in or near a city that has undergone significant development recently, like the one in Tokyo mentioned in the article? If yes, how has it impacted your surroundings? If not, can you imagine how such development might influence a community?
- Have you ever visited a museum that features digital art installations?
- In what ways do you think the integration of cultural attractions, like the Borderless Museum, can enhance a city’s overall development and appeal?
- How might the use of digital art in museums, as described in the article, impact the way people engage with and appreciate art compared to traditional art forms?