2. Choose the sentences which correspond to the contents of the text
1) Baroque is a term applied to European Art of the early 15th century.
2) The word “baroque” was used to describe an irregular or imperfectly shaped pearl only.
3) The Baroque style was concerned with bright colours, hidden light sources and contrasting surface textures.
4) Cheap materials were used during the Baroque period.
5) The Rococo is considered to be the late phase of the Baroque.
6) The Rococo style is assumed to have appeared in France.
7) During the Rococo period there was no more integration of architecture, painting and sculpture.
3. Answer the questions
1) How is the word “Baroque” defined?
2) What are the main features of the Baroque?
3) What outstanding Baroque architects do you know?
4) When did the Rococo appear?
5) What are typical characteristics of the Rococo?
4
.
Use the clichés from ex. 5, p. 14 and write the retelling of the
text “Baroque
and Rococo”
Text 3
1. Read the text
High-tech style
Features
High-tech style embraces an industrial look, in which the decor and the building itself are obviously very influenced by technology. High-tech buildings are often created from such materials as heavy steel girders25, a metal deck plate26, metal shelves often seen in hospitals and factories, and a concrete structure. The outside of the building, instead of being opaque27, is often made entirely of windows or mirrored glass, not stressing the decorative outside of the building but revealing the skeleton of the building itself.
Examples
High-tech style can be seen in almost any city in the world.
O
ne
of the most well-known examples of high-tech style isthe
Swiss Re building28
in London – more commonly known as The Gherkin29,
because of its distinctive, peaked shape. Designed by British
architect Norman Foster, the building is the sixth tallest in London,
and stands out from the background of centuries-old buildings from
miles around. The Gherkin was opened in 2004, and has been featured
in a number of television shows and movies, quickly becoming one of
London's most recognized modern symbols. Also in London is the
Lloyd's Building,
which is unique as all of its staircases, elevators, ventilation
shafts and piping are on the outside of the building.
A
nother
well-known example isthe
Bank of China Tower,
located in Hong Kong. Designed by architect I.M. Pei, the building
was designed to resemble tall, slender shoots of bamboo.
T
he
Centre Georges Pompidou
in Paris, France, is the home to a massive library, as well as to
IRCAM30,
a centre for music research. Color-coded pipes and ventilation shafts
figure predominantly on the outside of the building.
M
unich's
Olympic Stadium
also displays a unique high-tech style, with steel cables and domes
of glass that were designed to represent mountains and a newer, more
modern Germany.
History
High-tech style made its first appearances after World War II. Much of Europe – from England all the way across the continent – had been ravaged31 by war, leaving countless buildings destroyed. When the time came to rebuild, designers and architects replaced many of the old edifices32 with ones done in a forward-thinking, new style that was intended to show something new rising from the ashes of destruction.
Also, the postwar era was a time when scientific advances were taking the world by storm, from advances in industrial and medical practices to science and technology. This new world was undeniable33, and was reflected heavily in the buildings that were being developed at the time.
The name "high-tech style" came about in 1978, and was coined34 by a pair of home-design specialists: Joan Kron and Suzanne Slesin. Their book, "High Tech: The Industrial Style and Source Book for The Home," shared ideas for bringing the high-tech look into the home.
High-Tech in the Home
High-tech style isn't just for the outside of a building; it's also hugely popular indoors as well.
T
he
style stresses an industrial look. Pipes can be worked into the decor
of the home, instead of hidden in a cupboard or closet. Elements of a
high-tech room can include factory lighting; partial room dividers
made of glass bricks; warehouse or hospital shelving35
painted in flamboyant colors; work benches for countertops36;
and office chairs for furniture. Steel appliances and even dishes can
accent the style, as can geometric patterns in floors and walls.
Significance
High-tech style came about when architects and designers were looking for a way to liven up modern architecture. In many places, any sort of modern architecture had been replaced with economy buildings, as well as homes, apartment buildings and office buildings that appeared to have been made from a mold37. The high-tech style not only showed a rebellious attitude on the part designers who were willing to try something completely different, but also displayed impressive faith in what was to come. Technological advances were on everyone's mind, and this high-tech style leaned away from traditional architecture and more toward science fiction and the world of tomorrow.