【862-865】印尼艺术集团被提名领导文件&晚餐做什么？&美国对中国科技的担忧减缓硅谷的交易&面包对许多津巴布韦人来说太贵了
AS IT IS
Indonesian Art Group Named to Lead Documenta
March 10, 2019
FILE - Visitors of the 'documenta 12' are seen through the 'Poppy Field' installation of Croatian artist Sanja Ivekovic in Kassel, Germany, Aug. 4, 2007.
Documenta is one of the most respected art events in the world. The art program is held every five years in Kassel, Germany.
Recently, organizers chose a group of Indonesian artists to curate the next program. They asked ruangrupa, an Indonesian art collective, to serve as the show’s artistic director.
This is the first time documenta has picked a group of people, instead of an individual, as its curator. The announcement has helped bring attention to Indonesia’s lively yet struggling art scene.
Documenta is now preparing for its 15th show, which will open in June 2022. The art program was launched in 1955 to crush support for Germany’s Nazi Party after the end of World War II.
In a statement, the committee said it chose ruangrupa for its ability to interest many communities.
Ruangrupa was founded in 2000. The group is known for making art in many forms, such as paintings and installations. The collective’s work has been shown around the world, including art biennials in Singapore and Istanbul. The group also curated an art show in the Netherlands in 2016.
At the last documenta event, ruangrupa worked on part of a radio project called Every Time a Ear di Soun.
The next event is called documenta 15. Two ruangrupa members said in a statement the show might explore things like new forms of education and “the importance of art in social practice.”
Another member, Argus FS, told VOA he hopes their curation will improve people’s understanding of modern art. He added ruangrupa is one of few art groups supporting art scenes in cities like Yogyakarta and Jakarta.
Argus explained that many Indonesians do not understand modern art and said there are few art collectors in Jakarta.
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Art and government
He thinks the Indonesian government is not doing enough to help the country’s contemporary art scene.
Slamet Aji Pamungkas is with the Creative Economy Agency, a government organization in Indonesia. He told VOA that the agency has always supported the contemporary art scene. He said it offers guidance, improves performance spaces and helps artists get the technology they need.
Tubagus ‘Andre’ Sukmana is a former head of the National Gallery of Indonesia. He now heads the media art department at the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture. Sukmana told VOA that the ministry is ready to offer ruangrupa financing if the group requests it.
Sukmana said the government has put together a plan that will support 10 cultural projects, including contemporary art. He said it also plans to give financial aid to artists outside major cities.
Indonesian art scene
The Indonesian contemporary art scene has grown in places like Jakarta, Yogyakarta and Bandung in West Java. In a 2014 book, Yvonne Spielmann describes Indonesia’s art movements, such as the New Art Movement in the 1970s. It was born from protest against the narrow “understanding of art at the nation’s academies.”
Today, artists like Heri Dono and Handiwirman Saputra have received attention, both international and local. Handiwirman has been chosen to represent Indonesia at the Venice Biennale in Italy in 2019.
Argus says there are still issues for Indonesian artists, such as overdependence on private museums to show their work. But, he said, Indonesia has the potential to be the leader of contemporary art in Southeast Asia.
I’m Alice Bryant. And I'm Jill Robbins.
Stanley Widianto wrote this story for VOA News. Alice Bryant adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.
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Words in This Story
curate – v. to select a number of things for presentation, such as for an art show
scene – n. a particular area of activity (such as art or music) that involves many people
practice – n. the action of doing or using something
installation – n. a work of art that usually has several parts (such as a sculpture, lights and sound)
biennial – n. any event that happens every two years; most commonly used to describe large international art shows
contemporary – adj. happening or beginning now or in recent times
academy – n. an organization of people who work to support art, science, or literature
potential – n. a chance that something will happen or exist in the future
AS IT IS
What Should We Make for Dinner?
March 10, 2019
Granny's Kitchen: Jelena Petrovic places the tray with food into the oven
Most of us might only begin to think about dinner in the late afternoon: What should I make today?
But Jelena Petrovic begins to think about her big meal early each morning.
After morning tea, she and her husband, Milan, begin their plans for a traditional Serbian dish. The cooking method they use probably comes from Jelena’s mother or grandmother. Each recipe uses local foods found in Serbian markets.
Milan goes to the market to get the food they need. And the 69-year-old Jelena makes plans for how she will explain the cooking process to her 150,000 followers on YouTube.
Once she is ready, Jelena films her cooking show from a small kitchen table. Milan holds the camera. Online, she is known as “Granny Jela.” And her popular YouTube channel is called “Bakina Kuhinja” – or “Granny’s Kitchen” in the Serbian language.
Jelena has many years of experience cooking at home. Ten years ago, she started an online forum, where she shared recipes and cooking suggestions for meat, soup, bread, sweet treats and more.
Her number of followers grew over time. She decided to start a blog and began also making videos she filmed with her mobile phone.
Today, her videos on YouTube have over 50 million views. Last year, “Granny’s Kitchen” was named one of the Top 50 YouTube channels in Serbia.
“All you need is love, the will and desire to do something,” Jelena told Associated Press reporters. “Anything can be done only if you really want to do it.”
Before she became a social media star, Jelena first had to teach herself how to use a computer. “I didn’t even know how to use a computer mouse at first,” she said. “But I Googled a lot and read hundreds of tutorials.”
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Now her YouTube channel takes up much of her day. She works from her small kitchen and home office. Colorful plants and flowers fill the room. A bright cloth covers the table where she works. She says she gets tired from working long hours each day.
But, she said, “my viewers wait for a new recipe every morning. If I am late, they ask if I am well and what is happening.”
Often, her viewers write that the recipes bring back happy memories of their childhood.
“My recipes are all local, traditional home-food recipes,” Jelena said. “I make things my mother or grandmother used to make.”
But, who eats all the tasty food?
“Oh, I give some of it to the neighbors and friends, but I pack the sweets for my grandchildren,” Jelena says with a smile.
I’m Jill Robbins.
Jovana Gec reported on this story for the Associated Press. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.
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Words in This Story
afternoon – n. the part of the day between noon and evening
dish – n. food that is prepared in a particular way
recipe – n. a set of instructions for making food
desire – n. the feeling of wanting something
tutorial – n. a book, or computer program that teaches someone how to do something by explaining each stage of a process
Who do you ask for traditional recipes? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.
AS IT IS
US Concerns about Chinese Tech Slow Some Silicon Valley Deals
March 10, 2019
FILE - Attendees pass by a Huawei booth during the 2019 CES in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Jan. 9, 2019.
The United States and China are seeking to be the world’s leader in artificial intelligence, or AI, and other fast-developing technologies.
But this high-tech competition has been affected by U.S. concerns about some Chinese investments in American businesses.
For years, cooperation has grown between China and California’s Silicon Valley, home to many of the world’s top technology companies. But the current U.S. administration has increased scrutiny of Chinese investments in Silicon Valley. This has caused some U.S. startups to turn down Chinese investments.
Michael Wessel heads the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. The U.S. government organization investigates whether U.S.-China economic and trade relations are affecting U.S. national security.
Wessel recently told a Congressional hearing that China is currently very active in many areas of technology innovation. “China wants to be a global innovation leader and is doing all that it can legally and illegally to achieve its goals,” he said.
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The U.S. has accused China of carrying out cyberattacks on U.S. businesses in an effort to steal company secrets. U.S. officials have also raised concerns about rules that require American companies to turn over their technology to Chinese partners.
The issues have also complicated ongoing trade talks between the U.S. and China.
Accusations against Huawei
One major company facing U.S. accusations is Chinese technology company Huawei. The company’s chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, faces fraud charges in the United States. Meng is being held in Canada after being arrested in December, and U.S. officials are seeking to bring her back to the U.S. to face the charges.
U.S. government lawyers have said Huawei violated U.S. restrictions against sales to Iran. In addition, they accuse the company of stealing trade secrets from technology company T-Mobile.
Huawei is currently working on building 5G systems – the next generation in wireless technology - in countries around the world. The 5G development has caused tensions between the U.S. and China. U.S. officials have long suspected the Chinese government could use Huawei network equipment to help carry out spying activities. Huawei has rejected such accusations.
U.S. restrictions
The U.S. government has urged American companies not to use Chinese technology in its communications systems because of security concerns. It has also pressed other countries to ban Huawei from building 5G networks.
U.S. officials want to put restrictions on several kinds of technology – including AI and robotics - because it sees them as possible threats to national security.
But many in the tech industry say such restrictions could end up harming U.S. businesses. Tim Draper operates a major investment company in Silicon Valley. He told VOA he was one of the first U.S. investors in Chinese technology company Baidu.
“I think we should be open and sharing,” Draper said. “Both countries benefit so much by having a very open communication lane. I believe we have a problem that we are putting up barriers where they don’t benefit us.”
It remains unclear how long the current investment environment will last in Silicon Valley. But for now, it seems many investors and startup companies have accepted a cooling off period for Chinese-related investments.
I’m Bryan Lynn.
Michelle Quinn reported this story for VOA News. Bryan Lynn adapted her story for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor.
We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.
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Words in This Story
artificial intelligence – n. the ability of a machine to use and analyze data in an attempt to reproduce human behavior
scrutiny – n. careful examination of something
innovation – n. a new idea or method that is being tried for the first time, or the use of such ideas or methods
achieve – v. to succeed in doing something good
complicate – v. make something more difficult
benefit – v. something that helps you or gives an advantage
lane – n. a route regularly used by vehicles, boats, etc.
AS IT IS
Bread Now Too Costly for Many Zimbabweans
March 10, 2019
Bread has now joined the list of goods in short supply in Zimbabwe. The lack of bread has caused its price to increase. Now, citizens are forced to look for replacements to this simple food source.
Bread now costs $2 or higher, about twice as costly as the usual price. Many people are getting used to having their tea -- a favorite morning drink of Zimbabweans -- without bread.
Gibson Nhema now sells goods such as sweet potatoes and corn in place of bread.
He told VOA, "If we can get bread once a week that will be it. But we no longer miss it because it is now expensive. If the government would push the price of bread and flour down that would go well with our way of living. We have no cash. If it remains expensive, I will not able to buy dinner if I buy bread."
Food sellers like Nhema are doing well. But these are very hard times for those who mostly sell bread, like Alwyn Mutero.
Mutero said, "There used to be lots of bread, but these days, people no longer buy like they used to do, because prices are going high. We used to sell this bread for about a $1, now it costs about $2.50. So people cannot afford it."
Mangaliso Ndlovu is Zimbabwe’s Minister of Industry and Commerce. Recently, he said he found a company that could make bread using local ingredients to help ease the shortage and control the price.
But farmers say they do not have a way to produce wheat that is cost effective. They are calling on President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government to help.
Ben Gilpin is with the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union. He says that, among other things, farmers must have a fair price to cover their production costs. He adds that farmers must have the knowledge and tools to help the farming industry grow.
Government and industry officials continue their search for an answer to the shortage. Meanwhile, Zimbabweans like Gibson Nhema keep thinking of other foods to take the place of something as simple as their daily bread.
I’m Jonathan Evans.
Columbus Mavhunga reported this story for VOA News. Jonathan Evans adapted it for Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor.
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Words in This Story
afford – v. to be able to pay for something
expensive – adj. costing a lot of money
ingredients – n. the things that are used to make a food or product