"The Art Newspaper," a dual-format publication encompassing both digital and print mediums, which comprehensively reports on the intricate tapestry of the global art scene, has recently unveiled a compilation of the four most frequented art museums, as determined by attendance statistics. Have you had the privilege of venturing to any of these esteemed venues?
One such locale, nestled in the heart of Paris, France, is the Musée du Louvre, a colossal repository of artistic treasures and a cherished historical monument of the city. Since its inception in 1793, this museum, situated within the Louvre Palace, has undergone numerous expansions to accommodate its ever-growing collection. Its iconic glass pyramid, positioned prominently in the central courtyard, was the ingenious conception of the renowned Chinese American architect, Ieoh Ming Pei, and has since transformed into a symbolic hallmark of the museum, even gracing the silver screen in the blockbuster thriller "The Da Vinci Code," starring Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou.
Another noteworthy destination, situated proximate to the Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China, is the National Museum of China. Boasting a colossal size that ranks it among the largest museums worldwide, it holds the distinction of being the second most visited art museum globally, trailing closely behind the Louvre. Spanning an epoch from the ancient Yuanmou Man, dating back 1.7 million years, to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), this museum showcases an extensive collection of approximately 1.05 million artifacts, many of which are exclusive to its own walls.
Shifting our focus to the United States, we find the Metropolitan Museum of Art, colloquially known as 'The Met,' standing tall as a mandatory stop on any itinerary exploring the vibrant city of New York. Perched elegantly on the eastern fringe of Central Park, within Manhattan's prestigious Upper East Side, the Met harbors a vast and diverse collection encompassing the art of Africa, Asia, Oceania, Byzantium, and the Islamic world. Furthermore, every May, the museum hosts the prestigious Met Gala, an event that captivates the world's attention akin to the Oscars, showcasing the finest in fashion and philanthropy.
Lastly, for those enamored with Roman history and the splendor of Renaissance art, the Vatican Museums, nestled within the sovereign city-state of Vatican City, present an unparalleled experience. Tracing a path through the exhibitions, visitors are treated to the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel, adorned by the masterful brushstrokes of Michelangelo, as well as the exquisite Stanze di Raffaello, beautifully embellished by Raphael.
Cai Lei, an individual who previously occupied the role of deputy head of the JD conglomerate, unveils the transformative journey that commenced upon receiving the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly abbreviated as ALS, which propelled him towards a quest for a remedy.
Emerging into the world in the year 1978 within the confines of a rural household dedicated to agriculture, Cai was profoundly impacted by the philosophy of his progenitor, which posited that an individual must engage in a struggle for self-advancement. From the earliest stages of his educational journey, he committed to rising at the break of dawn, prior to the arrival of the fifth hour, to partake in physical exertion and the study of the English language. By the age of twenty-nine, he had ascended to the position of principal fiscal overseer within Vanke Corporation. In the year 2011, he transitioned to the JD conglomerate, spearheading his squad in the innovation of the inaugural electronic fiscal document in the nation of China. Irrespective of the professional environment in which he found himself, he consistently endeavored to generate novel contributions of value.
In the year 2019, he was confronted with the somber reality of an ALS diagnosis, an affliction that typically portends a lifespan of merely two to five years. ALS is predominantly attributed to the progressive demise of motor neurons, a condition that renders routine activities such as hydration, nourishment, personal hygiene, and verbal communication insurmountable challenges. Ultimately, the afflicted are compelled to depend entirely on mechanical assistance and the support of others for sustenance. To date, the therapeutic arsenal for ALS is limited to a mere duo of pharmaceuticals, the efficacy of which is confined to a marginal prolongation of life by several months, without any substantive enhancement in the quality of existence.
The development of efficacious pharmaceuticals stands as the solitary avenue for the salvation of ALS sufferers. Nevertheless, the magnitude of exertion demanded, coupled with the financial infeasibility given the rarity of the condition, renders this endeavor one of Herculean proportions. The gestation period for the research and development of a novel pharmaceutical typically spans a decade to a decade and a half, with an associated financial outlay ranging from one to three billion dollars. For illustrative purposes, consider Alzheimer's disease; between the years 2000 and 2017, the investment in the development of new pharmaceuticals for this more prevalent ailment surpassed six hundred billion dollars, with a staggering 99.6% of the research endeavors on over three hundred drugs culminating in failure.
Undeterred, Cai resolved to assume direct control over his fate. He initiated his own enterprise in the domain of medical technology, assembled a dedicated research cohort, and selflessly subjected himself to the trial of more than thirty experimental pharmaceuticals, all of which regrettably proved ineffective. Despite these setbacks, he remains steadfast in his resolve to persevere. In a final, desperate act, he has pledged to bequeath his cerebral cortex and spinal column to the pursuit of scientific inquiry, ensuring that his demise will not be in vain.
Approximately 5,000 juvenile individuals lose their lives on a daily basis due to diseases that are entirely preventable, such as cholera and dysentery. These illnesses proliferate when individuals consume or prepare food using contaminated water. The absence of clean water for personal hygiene also facilitates the transmission of entirely preventable conditions like trachoma, which has resulted in the loss of sight for an estimated six million individuals.
The scarcity of water resources also ensnares numerous households with limited financial means in a perpetual loop of economic hardship and suboptimal educational opportunities, with the most impoverished being disproportionately affected by the lack of access to water. Those who dedicate a significant portion of their daily routine to dealing with health issues, tending to ailing children, or traversing an average distance of 3.75 miles to gather water, are deprived of the educational and economic opportunities necessary to elevate their living conditions.
Agriculture is often referred to as the primary consumer of clean water globally, accounting for approximately 70 percent of its usage, while industrial applications require an additional 22 percent. Water bodies do not recognize political boundaries, and nations do not consistently collaborate in the equitable distribution of these shared resources, making water a frequent catalyst for international disputes.
The ongoing demand for water is steadily increasing, depleting sources from vast rivers to subterranean aquifers. As Postel remarked, "We are progressively incurring a greater debt in terms of our groundwater exploitation, which has profound implications for the security of our global water supply. The pace at which we are extracting groundwater has doubled since the year 1960."
Some of the Earth's groundwater is classified as fossil water, a resource that originated during a time when the planet's climate was vastly different from what it is today. Presently, such water is as finite as petroleum. "However, we are extracting a significant portion of these resources at an unprecedented rate," Postel elucidated. "The escalating demand for water by humanity also poses a significant challenge concerning water and our ecosystems. This not only incurs a cost to the natural environment but also has long-term financial implications for future generations, including our offspring and grandchildren."
Creatives across the globe are understandably experiencing a sense of unease in light of the recent strides made in the field of artificial intelligence. In a recent incident, an individual who secured a prestigious accolade at the Colorado State Fair art competition elicited a vehement backlash when he disclosed that his artwork was crafted with the aid of AI technology. Lance Allen, a 39-year-old, faced accusations of deceit from detractors, despite the fact that he had triumphed in the digital art category and was transparent about the method by which his piece was produced. It is evident that the paradigms governing the creation of art are undergoing a transformation.
To clarify, Allen's artistic endeavor was not a mere matter of pressing a button, as Jason Blain noted in Forbes. He dedicated approximately 80 hours to his submission, initially refining his textual prompts and subsequently refining the final visual output using software such as Photoshop, before arranging for the artwork to be printed on canvas. His approach to utilizing AI in the creation of his piece mirrors that of a photographer utilizing a camera to capture an image. This highlights the pivotal role that AI is playing in the realm of artistic creation, which is crucial in comprehending the evolving nature of art making.
Allen, who is also a designer of board games, is in awe of the capabilities of AI and advocates for artists and illustrators to embrace this technology rather than resist it. He asserts, "Art is dead," suggesting that AI has brought about a fundamental shift in the art world, making it more accessible and potentially more widely appreciated. However, a more constructive perspective to glean from his success is that AI-powered image generators are poised to "broaden the appreciation for and the creation of art" by democratizing the field and enabling individuals who may not possess traditional drawing skills, such as himself, to produce intricate works like his award-winning piece. He posits that, "If anything, we will have more artists," and as the technology continues to evolve, "we might witness the birth of art styles that have never been seen before."
It is not entirely unjustified for traditional artists to feel disconcerted. After all, image generators operate by dissecting the visual elements of countless pre-existing images. One particularly sophisticated image generator, as described by Loz Eliot in New Atlas, "makes it crystal clear just how disruptive this technology can be." Given a specific prompt, it is capable of generating an image of virtually any concept one can conceive, and can even mimic the style of a preferred artist. Its advent signifies "an extraordinary democratization of visual creativity" while simultaneously posing a threat to those who have dedicated years to honing their artistic skills in the hope of earning a living from their craft. This underscores the potential of AI to disrupt conventional artistic practices, making the field more accessible to novices and potentially jeopardizing the professional prospects of established artists.
Social Phobia
Itˈs natural to feel nervous, or shy in front of others at times. Most people manage to get through these moments when they need to. Itˈs probably more than shyness. It may build up into a powerful fear. As a result, people feel uncomfortable participating in everyday social activities. This is called social phobia (also called social anxiety).
The condition in question acts as a formidable barrier that inhibits individuals from engaging in casual conversations with their peers within the confines of the dining hall, participating in extracurricular organizations that convene post-academic hours, or attending social gatherings. Occasionally, the intensity of their apprehension is such that they find themselves too overwhelmed with anxiety to pose inquiries during instructional sessions or seek the guidance of an educator. Social phobia, a pervasive anxiety disorder, serves not merely as an impediment to the pursuit of novel experiences and opportunities; it also obstructs individuals from partaking in the routine, quotidian errors that are instrumental in the refinement and enhancement of their competencies. These everyday missteps are, in fact, a natural and essential component of the learning process, enabling continuous growth and development in various skill sets.
It is really sad, isnˈt it? But the good news is that people with social phobia can learn to manage fear, develop confidence and communicating skills and stop avoiding things that make them nervous. Of course itˈs not always easy. Dealing with social phobia takes patience, courage to face fears and the willingness to practice. .
Therapists (治疗师) can help people create a plan for facing social fears and build the skills and confidence to overcome it. And family or friends are especially important for them. Friends and family can encourage them to pick a small goal to aim for, remind them to go for it, and be there when they might feel discouraged. Good friends and family are there to celebrate each small success along the way.
Little by little, someone who decides to deal with extreme shyness can learn to be more comfortable. As shyness and fears begin to melt, confidence and positive feelings build. Pretty soon, the person is thinking less about what might feel uncomfortable and more about what might be fun.
A. Friends can overcome their fears.
B. But for some, the anxiety can be extreme.
C. They are not able to make eye contact with classmates.
D. Social phobia makes people lonely or disappointed over missed opportunities.
E. It also takes a commitment to go forward rather than back away when feeling shy.
F. Each small step forward helps build enough confidence to take the next small step.
G. The support from those key people helps them gather the courage to try something new.
Where thereˈs a will, thereˈs surely to be a way. As the COVID-19 crisis increasingly spread, all international flights in Spain were 1 . But Carlos, who was just in Spain, desired a 2 with his wife Isabel in Argentina in time for their 5th wedding anniversary celebration. With the Atlantic Ocean between them, he was faced with a dilemma. Finally, the young sailor 3 a daring solution—heˈd simply sail home.
Sensing the severe illness, Carlos feared the local port would soon begin restricting travel. The urgent situation left him with no 4 : With 24 hours, he had to get fully prepared.
After 5 a 29-foot sailboat with life necessities, Carlos set sail in mid-March, trusting his faith would get him home. 6 , the voyage wasnˈt without hardships or danger. On the way, he approached the port Cape Verde to restore his food supply. But they7 his entry. Once past the equator(赤道), he ran out of fuel and was left to rely partly on wind power. Then, the wind8 , leaving his sailboat sitting on the calm sea for 10 days. With no one aboard to 9 , he would be in danger should he run into trouble, but Carlos proved 10 . The wind eventually rose again, allowing him to go on.
While Carlosˈ faith was 11 challenged, the long voyage also 12 views of Mother Natureˈs beauty as well. A group of dolphins provided nice 13 , racing alongside him.
After sailing on the sea for 85 days, the boat entered the final port. Carlos was tested for COVID-19 and 14 . Exhausted but extremely 15 , he and his wife Isabel were reunited just in time for her birthday.
For those looking to escape the concrete jungle, maybe itˈs time to dive into the bamboo forests of southern Sichuan.
A natural forest that people in Sichuan province tend (visit) is the Southern Sichuan Bamboo Sea in Yibin. The 120-square-kilometer Bamboo Sea is the (large) bamboo park in China and its average temperature seldom drops below zero degrees Celsius in winter many parts of the country are covered with snow and ice.
Known as one of the countryˈs 10 most beautiful forests, it (be) a popular tourist attraction since the Oscar-winning Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (shoot) there in 2001.
Two years later, the bamboo forest received world-wide (recognize) as a bamboo reserve in December 2003, (become) the fourth tourism destination in China to be granted Green Globe 21 certification.
The Bamboo Sea covers Changning and Jiangˈan, two counties under the authority of Yibin. Amazed at its vast expanse (浩瀚), Huang Tingjian, poet from the Song Dynasty, described it " bamboo waves". As Huang was an (influence) man, his description gave rise to the forestˈs popular nickname-the Bamboo Sea.
1. 时间和地点；
2. 剪纸艺术展览的目的和意义等。
注意：
1. 写作词数应为80左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Dear Mike,
Yours,
Li Hua
As the season of summer unfolded, a musical joust was slated to transpire within the confines of her residential vicinity. Her most intimate associate, Lucy, extended an invitation for Emily to engage in this competitive spectacle, yet Emily voiced her trepidation, proclaiming, "I harbor a deep-seated fear of participating therein." Her maternal guardian offered these words of comfort and encouragement: "Fear not, proceed with valor." Heeding the guidance of her matriarch, Emily resolved to embark upon this venture and test her mettle.
The day of reckoning arrived, and Emily, in the company of Lucy, made her way to the venue of the competition. However, she was overcome by an overwhelming sense of bashfulness, which rendered her incapable of advancing onto the platform. She remained in a state of anticipation, observing the performances of her fellow contestants until they had concluded their renditions. With trembling limbs, she compelled herself to ascend the stage. As she commenced her performance, her vocal output was barely audible. Regrettably, her anxiety was so profound that she experienced a lapse in memory regarding the lyrics shortly after commencing her song. The derisive laughter of the onlookers, coupled with her acute discomfort and modesty, propelled her to flee from the stage in a state of humiliation.
A group of impish lads pursued her, taunting her with the cry, "Emily, a poltroon! Emily, a poltroon!" Emily did not deign to engage in a verbal altercation with them. Her sole desire was to make haste back to the sanctuary of her home. Eventually, she hastened into the dwelling, embraced her mother, and wept sorrowfully.
"Well, my afflicted child, cease thy weeping. Narrate to me the events that have transpired," inquired her mother. Emily lifted her gaze to her progenitor and recounted the sequence of events she had encountered.
Upon hearing her tale, her mother tenderly cradled her visage and imparted these words of wisdom: "It is of no consequence, my dear. So long as you persist in practicing your vocalizations in the presence of strangers, you shall gradually acquire greater courage. Thus, my child, do not succumb to defeat. Venture forth to practice your singing each day. Pay no heed to the audience that may be in attendance; continue to sing without pause. I am confident that your endeavors will yield a bountiful harvest."
注意：续写词数为150左右。
Paragraph 1:
Emily listened to her mother carefully and followed her mom's suggestion.
Paragraph 2:
Going on singing, she walked into a park, where many people were singing and dancing.
