Eggs-Quisite Art(b)|蛋艺高超

Mitzi Perdue's egg art has been admired by the rich and famous as well as by museums, collectors, and local businesses. Some of her eggs even went on a 43-country tour with the American National Agricultural Library. Her EggScapes were some of her first egg projects, which she still creates today. Many of them are scenes scaled down to egg size, such as her wedding cake topper of a miniature bride and groom inside a beautifully jeweled and feathered egg. Some of Perdue's other designs can be used daily, like her jewelry boxes, where the eggs are cut in half lengthwise and set on golden pedestals. Another special design features a hidden scene inside the egg. It is seen by opening a small, delicate door cut into the shell.

Thinking outside the shell, Perdue has pioneered the latest in egg accessories. Her EveningEggs are a line of evening bags created from ostrich eggs. The inside of an EveningEgg is covered in velvet or silk, while the outside is decorated in true Perdue fashionainted and bedazzled. A shoulder strap is secured for carrying, and a clasp is added to the opening shell top. The simplest EveningEggs take at least 30 hours to complete, while more detailed designs require even longer. Perdue is hoping to speed up the process in order to sell more egg bags and accessories in the near future. Already wealthy in her own right, Perdue donates all of the profits from selling her eggs to charity. Mitzi Perdue has definitely made herself an eggs-pert with her art.

1.  Who is Mitzi Perdue?

(A) A philanthropist feeding those in need with her nutritional eggs.

(B) A farmer who made a fortune by selling eggs to artists.

(C) A famous collector of specially decorated eggs.

(D) An egg decorator pioneering modern designs.

2.  How did Perdue get involved with eggs?

(A) She was injured and began decorating as a way to pass the time.

(B) Her husband left her his chicken business after he passed away.

(C) She was given a pet chicken that laid colorful eggs.

(D) She discovered a new way to cook them.

3.  Which was NOT mentioned as a type of EggScape?

(A) A decoration for wedding cakes.

(B) Gift boxes that hold special baby items.

(C) Scenes hidden behind small shell doors.

(D) A box created for storing necklaces and rings.

4.  What does Perdue do with the money she acquires from selling her eggs?

(A) She contributes it to organizations that help those in need.

(B) She uses it to buy supplies and make designs.

(C) She is saving the money to fund an art school.

(D) She uses it for her family's farm.

　　米琪‧博杜的装饰蛋艺术受到富人、名人、博物馆、收藏家和当地企业的欣赏。她的装饰蛋作品有些还跟着美国国立农业图书馆到 43 个国家巡回展出。她的『蛋景』作品是她最初装饰蛋计划的一部分，她至今仍持续创作该系列的作品。当中许多是将各种景象按比例缩小成蛋的大小，像是结婚蛋糕上的迷你新郎新娘人偶，就放置在美丽珠宝与羽毛装饰的蛋里。博杜有些设计品还可供日常使用，像是把蛋纵切、放在金色底座上的珠宝盒。另一个特殊设计的特色，则是在蛋里面暗藏景象。打开壳上切开的 1 个精致小门就能看到。

　　博杜想的不只是蛋壳而已，她还首创最新的蛋配饰。她的『晚宴手提蛋』是一系列用鸵鸟蛋制作的晚宴手提包。晚宴手提蛋里铺着天鹅绒或丝绸，外面则是以绘画和饰品装饰，展现十足的博杜风格。蛋上固定了一条肩带方便携带，蛋壳顶部还加了一个扣子方便打开。最简单的晚宴手提蛋至少要花 30 个小时才能完成，更精细的设计则需要更长的时间。博杜希望能够加快制作过程，才能在不久的将来卖出更多蛋提包与配件。博杜本身已经相当富有，她将卖出蛋作品的收益全数用于慈善事业。米琪‧博杜确实凭借自己的艺术，让自己成为装饰蛋达人。

答案：1. (D)2. (A)3. (B)4. (A)

鸵鸟蛋小档案

1. 硕大的鸵鸟蛋 1 颗可重达 1.6 公斤，相当于 30 粒鸡蛋。它是目前世界上最大的蛋，蛋壳厚而坚硬，完整的鸵鸟蛋可以承受 90 公斤的重量而不破。

2. 鸵鸟蛋呈奶油色，表面有明显的麻点（此为气孔）。蛋壳质地如瓷，非常光滑。

3. 鸵鸟蛋壳是不可多得的工艺品天然质材，可雕刻或绘画成各种精巧、高贵的装饰摆设工艺品。

4. 鸵鸟蛋壳含有丰富的天然碳酸钙，其中百分之九十九可以被人体吸收，胜于一般。

（数据源：台湾区人工饲养鸵鸟协会）