What inspires you?
Every artist’s wish is to create something that expresses an idea. But where do artists get their ideas from? Who or what inspires them? Here we find out more about the influences behind the successes of three very different artists.
Florentijn Hofman, visual artist
Florentijn Hofman is a Dutch
Hofman’s inspiration for Floating Fish came from Chinese folk tales passed down through the generations. He was particularly
“During the walk and my stay here in the town, I saw the fish being fed by people. You see also some fish sculpted on the wall.” These sights set Hofman’s idea for Floating Fish
Tan Dun, composer
“There is no territory in the world of music.” These are the words of Chinese composer Tan Dun. He is most widely known for
To listen to Tan’s music is to experience a mix of Chinese musical traditions and Western influences. Since his first opera, Nine Songs, Tan Dun has been using
Yang Liping, dancer
Yang Liping’s passion is dancing. After winning a national competition in 1986 with her Spirit of the Peacock dance, she has been known as the “Peacock Princess”. The inspiration for her famous dances has come from the time she spent in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province.
“I feel very grateful for the years in Xishuangbanna,” says Yang. “It
2 . The Best Medicine
As I approach the hospital wearing my white coat, I look just like any other doctor. That is until I put on my curly rainbow wig, big red nose, and add my name badge “Doctor Larry Laugh-Out-Loud”. I walk through the doors into the waiting area, where there’s a familiar atmosphere of boredom and tension. People sit uncomfortably on plastic chairs, looking through old magazines, all of which have been read hundreds of times previously. Anxious parents do what they can to comfort nervous and crying children.
In the middle of this particular scene I spot a small girl whose ankle is twice its normal size. I speak with the on-duty nurse, who tells me that Lara’s parents rushed her to the hospital after she fell off her bicycle.
Scientific studies show that laughter produces chemicals to make people feel better, which means clown doctors can be helpful. We are specially trained clowns who work as part of a programme known as “hospital clowning”.
Visiting hospitals and other health care facilities, we clown doctors work together with medical professionals. On a typical day, we spend our time cheering up patients, their families, and more often than not, the hospital staff, too! We do this by doing magic tricks, singing songs, telling stories and, of course, telling silly jokes. Some children, though, don’t feel like laughing, especially if they’re in pain. We have to be very sensitive and work closely with the doctors and nurses, who keep us updated on each patient.
And as for me? Well, when I take off my wig and my red nose, I’m still wearing a big smile, as I remember all the fun and laughter of the day. While there might be more hospital visits ahead for Lara and others, I hope that clown doctors help make it a friendlier place to visit.
A.And my magic medicine does indeed seem to do the trick |
B.As the saying goes, he who laughs last laughs the best |
C.After all, it really is true that “laughter is the best medicine” |
D.I chose this career because of my experience of going to hospital when I was a kid |
E.Since getting here, Lara has spent her time crying in pain |
1. What is the speaker doing?
A.Teaching a class. | B.Reporting a study. | C.Chairing a meeting. |
A.He cleans up the trash. | B.He saves animals. | C.He plants trees. |
A.The advantages of protecting animals. |
B.The relationships between different trees. |
C.The environmental impacts of groundwater. |
1. Who is the man?
A.A host. | B.A farmer. | C.A businessman. |
A.To save money. | B.To avoid wasting food. | C.To bring people together. |
A.In a supermarket. | B.In a backyard. | C.By the roadside. |
A.Jam. | B.Dried fruit. | C.Fresh vegetables. |
1. What does Melinda want to be?
A.A nurse. | B.A dancer. | C.A soldier. |
A.He likes cartoons. | B.He is the man’s son. | C.He has poor eyesight. |
A.Her father. | B.Her teacher. | C.Her brother. |
1. What probably is the man?
A.A shopkeeper. | B.An office worker. | C.A construction worker. |
A.In February. | B.In June. | C.In November. |
A.An office building. | B.A mall. | C.A subway station. |
1. Why doesn’t the woman keep this cat?
A.She is allergic to cats. | B.She doesn’t like cats. | C.She already has many cats. |
A.Goldfish. | B.Dogs. | C.Cats. |
A.Go on a business trip. | B.Send an email. | C.Make a phone call. |
A.How to lose weight. | B.When to do exercise. | C.Where to buy beer. |
A.$20. | B.$30. | C.$40. |