The Thinking in English Conversation Club takes place every TUESDAY and THURSDAY at 12pm, 6pm, and 9pm UK time! You can find more details on how to participate on Patreon and Discord!
This week the ‘Thinking in English’ Community is talking about what art means to you!
Art is one thing that all people can share an interest in. We can all create art, but some of us are more talented than others. Art is made, shared, bought and appreciated all over the world.
Many artworks and artists are very important in different cultures and help to tell the history of humankind.
Here are 10 conversation questions to get you talking about Art!
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Conversation Questions: What Does Art Mean To You?!
1. Do you have a favourite artist or artwork?
2. When was the last time you visited an art gallery or museum?
3. In your opinion, what makes great art?
4. What types of art do you find most appealing: paintings, sculptures, photography, or something else? Why?
5. Do you create any kind of art? Would you like to? Do you think others should make art?
6. Does looking at the art from a country help us understand their culture?
7. Why do you think some people pay millions of dollars for pieces of art? What makes art so expensive?
8. Do you think people should be allowed to keep famous art in private collections, or should they all be public?
9. What do you think the art of the future will look like?
10. “A work of art which did not begin in emotion is not art.” – Paul Cézanne
How much do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Vocabulary List:
- Gallery
- a room or building that is used for showing works of art, sometimes so that they can be sold.
- Museum
- a building where objects of historical, scientific, or artistic interest are kept.
- Appealing
- attractive or interesting.
- Expensive
- costing a lot of money.
- Private Collection
- Artworks or other valuable items owned and collected by a person.
- Emotion
- a strong feeling such as love or anger, or strong feelings in general.
Model Answers:
B1 (Intermediate) Model Answers
Vocabulary:
- Vibrant
- energetic, exciting, and full of enthusiasm.
- Expressive
- showing what someone thinks or feels.
- Brushwork
- the particular style that an artist has of putting paint onto the painting with a brush.
- Convey
- to express a thought, feeling, or idea so that it is understood by other people.
- Scene
- a view or picture of a place, event, or activity.
- Technique
- a way of doing an activity that needs skill.
- Status symbol
- a thing that people want to have because they think other people will admire them if they have it.
- Wealth
- a large amount of money or valuable possessions that someone has.
- Value
- the amount of money that can be received for something.
Q1. “Yes, I have a favorite artist. I really like Vincent van Gogh and his artwork “Starry Night.” The painting is so vibrant and expressive, and it always captures my attention. I find his unique brushwork and use of color amazing.”
Q4. “I find paintings most appealing. I love how they can tell a story or convey emotions through brushstrokes and colours. Paintings have a way of showing a moment or a scene that can be seen in different ways by different people. I enjoy exploring the details and the artist’s technique when looking at paintings.”
Q7. “Art can be seen as a status symbol and a way to show wealth. Additionally, the value of art is often influenced by the reputation of the artist, and the artwork’s popularity. Some artworks become famous over time, and their value goes up as they become part of a culture. I think that these things together make art so expensive.”
B2 (Upper Intermediate) Model Answers
Vocabulary:
- Contemporary
- existing or happening now, and therefore seeming modern.
- Exhibition
- an event at which objects such as paintings are shown to the public, a situation in which someone shows a particular skill or quality to the public, or the act of showing these things.
- Communicate
- to share information with others by speaking, writing, moving your body, or using other signals.
- Rewarding
- making you feel satisfied that you have done something important or useful, or done something well.
- Significance
- importance.
- Audience
- the group of people together in one place to watch or listen to a play, film, someone speaking, etc..
- Acquired
- to get or obtain something.
- Loan
- an amount of money that is borrowed, often from a bank, and has to be paid back, usually together with an extra amount of money that you have to pay as a charge for borrowing.
- Ownership
- the fact that you own something.
Q2. “The last time I visited an art gallery was about a month ago. I went to a contemporary art exhibition in a local museum. It was a wonderful experience to see different artworks and explore the creative expressions of various artists. There were many people there, all appreciating the various artworks. I was impressed by the artwork and by the response of the local people to support the museum.”
Q5. “Yes, I enjoy creating art in my free time. I like to paint and draw. It’s a way for me to relax and express my creativity. I think anyone who has an interest in art should give it a try. Art can be a great form of self-expression and a way to communicate emotions and ideas. Even if you aren’t into art, or think that you are a creative person, art can be really fun and rewarding to make.”
Q8. “Personally, I believe that some famous artworks should be kept in public collections, especially those that hold significant historical or cultural value. These artworks can be enjoyed and appreciated by a wider audience. However, I also think it’s important to respect the rights of private collectors who have acquired art legally. Perhaps a balance can be found where certain artworks are shared with the public through exhibitions and loans, while allowing private collectors to maintain ownership.”
C1 (Advanced Level) Model Answers
Vocabulary:
- Evoke
- to make someone remember something or feel an emotion.
- Provoke
- to cause a reaction, especially a negative one.
- Perspective
- a particular way of considering something.
- Medium
- a method or way of expressing something.
- Transcend
- to go further, rise above, or be more important or better than something, especially a limit.
- Resonate
- If you resonate with something, it feels true or has meaning for you.
- Generation
- all the people of about the same age within a society or within a particular family.
- Reflect
- to show, express, or be a sign of something.
- Context
- the situation within which something exists or happens, and that can help explain it.
- Glimpse
- to see something or someone for a very short time or only partly.
- Insight
- (the ability to have) a clear, deep, and sometimes sudden understanding of a complicated problem or situation.
- Dynamic
- a force that stimulates change or progress within a system or process.
- Rapid
- fast or sudden.
- Installation
- a form of modern sculpture where the artist uses sound, movement, or space as well as objects in order to make an often temporary work of art.
- Unconventional
- different from what is usual or from the way most people do things.
- Spark
- to cause the start of something, especially an argument or fighting.
Q3. “In my opinion, great art is a combination of creativity, skill, and the ability to evoke emotions or provoke thoughts. It’s about the artist’s ability to convey their unique perspective and communicate a message through their chosen medium. Great art can also transcend time and resonate with people across different cultures and generations.”
Q6. “Absolutely! Looking at art from a particular country can definitely help us understand their culture. Art often reflects the values, beliefs, and historical context of a society. It offers a glimpse into the traditions, customs, and even political or social issues of a country. By studying their art, we can gain insights into their identity and the experiences that have shaped their culture.”
Q9. “The art of the future is likely to be influenced by technological advancements and the changing dynamics of society. With the rapid development of digital art, virtual reality, and interactive installations, we can expect to see more immersive and innovative art forms. Additionally, as our understanding of art expands, artists may continue to challenge traditional boundaries and experiment with unconventional materials and techniques. The art of the future may also be more socially and politically engaged, addressing pressing global issues and sparking important conversations.“
See you all at this week’s conversation club!
