Electric Currents in Modern Art

Modern sculpture rarely surprises us any more. The idea that modern art can only be seen in museums is mistaken. Even people who take no interest in art cannot have failed to notice examples of modern sculpture on display in public places. Strange forms stand in gardens, and outside buildings and shops. We have got quite used to them. Some so - called 'modern' pieces have been on display for nearly eighty years.

In spite of this, some people - including myself - were surprised by a recent exhibition of modern sculpture. 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!' The objects on display were pieces of moving sculpture. Oddly shaped forms that are suspended from the ceiling and move in response to a gust of wind are quite familiar to everybody. These objects, however, were different. Lined up against the wall, there were long thin wires attached to metal spheres. The spheres had been magnetized and attracted or repelled each other all the time. In the centre of the hall, there were a number of tall structures which contained coloured lights. These lights flickered continuously like traffic lights which have gone mad. Sparks were emitted from small black boxes and red lamps flashed on and off angrily. It was rather like an exhibition of pre - historic electronic equipment. These peculiar forms not only seemed designed to shock people emotionally, but to give them electric shocks as well!

I soon learnt about all the tricks of the trade. Early in the morning, we were told, there is a large pool of water in the centre of the hall which reflects the sculptures. This, apparently, is to give the illusion that the sculptures are floating in mid - air. Next to the pool there is a deep pit with a ladder, so that visitors can descend into it and experience these curious sculptures more fully. There is also an art gallery in the pit, which displays some modern paintings. The paintings look so real that they seem to be floating on the wall. I was so intrigued by these works of art that I decided to buy a catalogue. As I was leaving, I noticed that all the visitors were given a small electric shock as they passed through the turnstile. It was a most unusual exhibition.

现代雕塑不再使我们感到惊讶了。那种认为现代艺术只能在博物馆里才能看到的观点是错误的。即使是对艺术不感兴趣的人也不会不注意到在公共场所展示的现代雕塑作品。在花园里、建筑物和商店外面，都矗立着奇形怪状的雕塑。我们已经对它们习以为常了。有些所谓的“现代”艺术品已经展出了将近80年了。

尽管如此，最近的一个现代雕塑展览还是让包括我在内的一些人感到惊讶。我进入美术馆看到的第一件东西是一则告示，上面写着：“请勿触摸展品。有些展品有危险！”展出的物品是一些活动的雕塑。那些形状奇特、悬挂在天花板上、随风摆动的雕塑大家都很熟悉。然而，这些展品却不同。靠墙排列着许多细长的电线，电线连着金属球。这些金属球经过磁化，互相之间不停地吸引或排斥。大厅中央有一些高大的结构物，里面有彩色的灯。这些灯像发疯的交通灯一样不停地闪烁。小黑盒子里迸出火花，红色灯泡发怒似的忽明忽暗。这很像一次史前电子设备展览。这些奇特的造型设计好像不仅是为了在情感上给人以震撼，而且还想给人以电击！

我很快就了解了这一行的所有诀窍。我们被告知，清晨时分，大厅中央有一大片水，水中倒映着雕塑。显然，这是为了造成一种雕塑漂浮在空中的错觉。水池旁边有一个深洞，洞中有梯子，这样参观者就可以下到洞里，更充分地体验这些奇特的雕塑。洞里还有一个美术馆，里面展出一些现代绘画。这些画看起来如此逼真，就好像是漂浮在墙上一样。我对这些艺术品非常着迷，于是决定买一本展品目录。当我离开的时候，我注意到所有的参观者在通过旋转栅门时都被轻微地电了一下。这是一次非常不寻常的展览。