📘 Part 3: Art

This episode's vocabulary

Utensil (noun) - a tool with a particular use, especially in a kitchen or house.

Compound (adj.) - used to refer to a system of paying interest in which interest is paid both on the original amount of money invested (= given to companies hoping to get more back) or borrowed and on the interest that has collected over a period of time.

Monetary (adj.) - relating to money or in the form of money.

Sentimental (adj.) - giving too much importance to emotions, especially love or sadness.

Provenance (noun) - the place of origin of something.

To fetch (verb) - to be sold for a particular amount of money.

Auction (noun) - a usually public sale of goods or property, where people make higher and higher bids (= offers of money) for each thing, until the thing is sold to the person who will pay the most.

Scenery (noun) - the general appearance of the natural environment, especially when it is beautiful.

Landscape (noun) - a view or picture of the countryside, or the art of making such pictures.

Cityscape (noun) - a view or image of a city.

Blue-chip (adj.) - of top quality.

On the face of it (idiom) - used when you are describing how a situation seems on the surface.

Profound (adj.) - felt or experienced very strongly or in an extreme way.

Aesthetically (adj.) - in a way that relates to the enjoyment or study of beauty.

To dictate (verb) - to give orders, or tell someone exactly what they must do, with total authority.

Enclosed (adj.) - surrounded by walls, objects, or structures.

Questions and Answers

M: What are the differences between painting and drawing?

R: Well, good question. I think it's down to... Oh, what do you call them? Ah, yes, the materials that you use to do the different actions. Drawing involves utensils like pencils, or similar objects with like, solid mark-making material and painting uses, well, paints and more liquid ones. Actually, from the perspective of some languages, they're actually the same thing.

M: Why do some people keep a painting for a long time?

R: Well, I mean, the longer you have something, like the higher the... Oh, what is it called again? Oh, it's the... At least I think it's the compound value. So that's the value that increases over time. It's not always about monetary value, though, there's the sentimental value to consider as well. And those are reasons why people might keep it.

M: Why do some paintings have more value than others?

R: Well, I think it's all to do with the provenance. So, if it's had a long, interesting history, then the demand will be greater. Another thing could be the demand, actually, I mean, the demand for a Picasso is definitely higher than the demand for my doodles. So the former will fetch more at auction.

M: What kinds of art do people like in your country?

R: That's a good question as well. I haven't seen any information on it. But at a guess, based on my own home, people really seem to love... The word escapes me right now. But it's like the scenery outdoors. Oh, landscapes, yes. So lots of pictures of landscapes and cityscapes are in our home. And I've seen them in others, too.

M: What kind of art is the most valuable in terms of money?

R: Oh, I know this. Can't think of the exact term right now. But it's got a very special name that means it's of a high value. Blue-chip. Yes, that's it. It's art made by famous painters. And so it usually commands a high price. So works like Van Gogh would be a good example of this.

M: Why might art be important?

R: You know, I'm not really sure why on the face of it. I mean, after all, it just seems like pictures, but it does have, oh, I'm not sure what the precise term is. But it has a cultural value that helps us relate to the world and other people in it. Even if they are different. It can really bring people together, which is crucial if you want to have a functioning society. Though I'll admit, it's not the only thing you need.

M: Let's talk about buildings and architecture now. How does building style affect people's lives?

R: Ah, it can have a pretty profound impact. We talked about this one aspect of the university, it's sort of about how the building looks. If it's aesthetically pleasing, then it can improve people's mood and the atmosphere of the area. By contrast, if it's an ugly building, there will be more chaos and discomfort experienced by people, even if it's just a psychological level.

M: Does the design of a building influence people's mood?

R: Like I said, it's kind of like the aesthetics of the building can dictate how people feel. And that makes sense. If you are trapped in an enclosed space. Would you feel particularly free and happy? Probably not.