Unit 7, Art and the Arts

Word

Definition

Example

abstract

used to refer to a type of painting, drawing, or sculpture that uses shapes, lines, and colour in a way that does not try to represent the appearance of people or things

I don't really like abstract art – I like pictures to look realistic

auction

a public meeting where land, buildings, paintings etc are sold to the person who offers the most money for them

Every year at school we have an auction for charity where we sell things we've made to the person who will pay the most

choreographer

a person who is skilled at combining movements into dances to be performed

When he retired from dancing he became a choreographer

conductor

someone who directs the performance of musiciansor a piece of music

A conductor often doesn't look like he or she is doing much, but leading an orchestra is a big responsibility

exhibition

a show of paintings, photographs, or other objects that people can go to see

There's a new exhibition of Picasso's early work on at the gallery

illustration

a picture in a book, article etc, especially one that helps you to understand it

I've always loved the original illustrations for Alice in Wonderland – they're beautiful

installation

a piece of modern art which can include objects, light, sound etc

I saw an amazing light installation in the street when I was visiting London

masterpiece

a work of art, a piece of writing or music etc that is of very high quality or that is the best that a particular artist, writer etc has produced

The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is one of Michelangelo's many masterpieces

producer

someone whose job is to control the preparation of a play, film, or broadcast, but who does not direct the actors

George Lucas produced most of the original Star Wars films

set

a place where a film or television programme is filmed

The set for the play was amazing – a giant palace which turned around so you could see inside and out

stage

the raised area in a theatre which actors or singers stand on when they perform

The stage was very small and we were sitting very close, so we had a great view of the actors

studio

a room where a painter or photographer regularly works

His studio is a disaster area! Paint and brushes everywhere – but his pictures are beautiful

draw up

prepare, draw or write a plan

The government has drawn up plans to evacuate the area

edit out

remove parts of sth, e.g. a film, TV programme, newspaper article

It was a good film, but they could have edited out the scenes where nothing important happened

grow on

start to like more

I didn't like that picture at first, but it's growing on me now

sketch out

make a general plan or drawing with few details

Use a pencil to sketch out your picture before you start painting

tear up

tear/rip into pieces

I realised I'd misunderstood the question, so I tore it up and started again

turn out

develop in a particular way, have a particular result

I thought the play was going to be boring but it turned out to be excellent

balancing act

a situation in which a person tries to give care and attention to two or more activities at the same time

Having a part-time job and studying for important exams is a very difficult balancing act

be a difficult act to follow

someone or something that has been so successful that it is very difficult for the person or thing coming next to be as good

Mrs Bridges was a fantastic headteacher, so she'll be a difficult act to follow for the new one

behind the scenes

out of sight of the public at a theatre or organization

They seem like a happy couple but, behind the scenes, they're always arguing

blank canvas

something with no content, upon which one can easily impose one's point of view

We've got to write a poem for English. It can be about anything at all, so we've got a blank canvas to start from

play a role in doing sth

to be involved in a situation and have an effect on it

Thank you for playing an important role in cleaning the beach

take centre stage

to be in a main or very important position

I don't like to take centre stage at parties. I prefer to sit in the corner and talk quietly

access

the right or opportunity to use or look at something

Hackers had complete access to the company files

accessibility

the fact of being able to be reached or obtained easily

Two new roads are being built to increase accessibility to the town centre

inaccessible

very difficult or impossible to travel to or reach

Some of the houses on the hillside are inaccessible to cars

attract

to pull or draw someone or something towards them, by the qualities they have, especially good ones

These flowers are brightly coloured in order to attract butterflies

attractive

very pleasing in appearance or sound, causing interest or pleasure

We need to make the club attractive to a wider range of people

attraction

something that makes people want to go to a place or do a particular thing

Life in Los Angeles has so many attractions - nightclubs, good restaurants, and so on

attractively

in a way that is very pleasing in appearance or sound

She always dresses very attractively

beauty

the quality of being pleasing, especially to look at, or someone or something that gives great pleasure, especially when you look at it

This is an area of outstanding natural beauty

beautiful

the quality of being pleasing, especially to look at, or someone or something that gives great pleasure, especially when you look at it

She was wearing a beautiful dress

beautify

to improve the appearance of someone or something

Money has been raised to beautify the area

beautician

someone who works in a beauty parlor cutting and styling hair and improvingpeople's appearance

She was working double hours as a beautician

doubt

a feeling of being not sure whether something is true or right

There's no doubt that he was a major artist

doubtful

probably not true or not likely to happen

The teacher is doubtful about having parents working as classroom assistants

doubtless

used to mean that you are certain that something will happen or is true

They will doubtless protest, but there's nothing they can do

undoubted

used to emphasize that something is true

She is the undoubted star of British ballet

undoubtedly

used to emphasize that something is true

She was undoubtedly the best candidate

ease

the state of experiencing no difficulty, effort, pain, etc

The doors are extra-wide for ease of access

easy

needing little effort

She's very easy to talk to

equip

to provide a person or a place with objects that are necessary for a particular purpose

It's going to cost $4 million to equip the hospital

equipment

the set of necessary tools, clothing, etc. for a particular purpose

The teacher demonstrated how to use the equipment

equipped

having the necessary tools, clothes, equipment, etc

Their schools are very poorly equipped

mass

a large amount of a substance which does not have a definite or regular shape

The food had congealed into a sticky mass

massive

very large, solid, and heavy

The bell is massive, weighing over 40 tons

patience

the ability to continue waiting or doing something for a long time without becoming angry or anxious

I wouldn't have the patience to sit sewing all day

patient

someone who is receiving medical treatment from a doctor or in a hospital

All hospital patients have to follow a daily routine

impatient

annoyed because of delays, someone else's mistakes etc

We are growing impatient with the lack of results