147] READING COMPREHENSION [GCSE PREVIOUS EXAMS-EGYPT 1981]

Al Haraneya Village

Al Haraneya Village [Giza, Egypt]

ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT

Ministry of Education

General Secondary Education Certificate Examination, 1981

English-Special Course

Time Allowed: 3 Hours

9. Read the following passage (text), and then answer the questions. Use your own words as far as possible.
One may wonder why the little pieces of tapestry made by the youths of small Egyptian villages like Haraneya are sold at such high prices. To some people's eyes, they may look too primitive to be worth the money charged for them. But those who know better realise that beauty of those works of art lies exactly in their being 'primitive'. As a matter of fact they are more than primitive, for the artists are left to express themselves according to their own vision. Isn't that the essence of all art? A modern painter does nothing but let himself go to put on canvas a visualised reflection of what goes on deep inside him. It is said that a painter who tries to give intellectual interpretations for his paintings does not do them justice, for they are not supposed to be understood intellectually but only to be appreciated in so much as they appeal to the viewer's eyes and feelings.
However, there is a major difference between the spontaneous art of Haraneya youths and that of modern artists. A modern artist's work draws its value from the complex experience of its creator and his extensive artistic background, but the spontaneous art of the Haraneya youths draws its beauty from its natural simplicity which is not spoilt by this sophistication and complexity of modern city life.
What is astounding is that although those artists get their inspiration exclusively from their local environment, their works have a world-wide appeal. This is, perhaps, because they depict their vision with profound sincerity giving expression to the essence of what is common to all the human race.
Questions:
1.   Why are the Haraneya pieces of tapestry appreciated all over the world?
2.   What comparison does the writer draw between the Haraneya artists and modern painters?
3.   What, according to the writer, is the ‘essence of all art’?
4.   Why, do you think, does the writer say that the Haraneya works of art are ‘more spontaneous than primitive’?
5. Why is it that many people fail to appreciate modern paintings?