You start to see the society, how it functions, how it works. Then you have a lot of criticism about how it works.
AI WEIWEIThere isn’t a single Chinese university that can invite me to give a talk. Even though I know there are many students who would like to hear what I have to say.
More Ai Weiwei Quotes
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The IT people who have made such an effort to know and understand computer technology. They are frustrated that you cannot use Facebook, Twitter and YouTube in China. They are the first to recognize that the situation is terrible.
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The Internet changes the structure of society all the time — this massiveness made of individuals.
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I never really read Allen Ginsberg poetry, even though I have a book he gave me.
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Nationality started as something natural, but we should not be restrained by the old politics that make up these clear lines. It should have its own way of evolving. In some places, it will evolve slower and in others, faster.
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I’m an artist who is always looking for what is possible. I’m always looking to extend the boundaries.
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If a nation cannot face its past, it has no future.
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I think my stance and my way of life is my most important art.
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At the moment about 350,000 students return to China from abroad each year – 350,000 young and educated people. I know about them because they know me and often ask me in the street if they can take a selfie with me.
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[Therefore] holding a trial outside the court. I think that is fairness, that is justice, that is a civil society. Otherwise call it an evil society because everything is hidden.
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I think U.S. and China is a big opportunity, to be seen as partner or some kind of strategic partner maybe. But those kind of powers have a way of getting too big, then we’ll have competition.
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Democracy, material wealth, and universal education are the soil upon which modernism exists.
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The people will always have the last word – even if someone has a very weak, quiet voice. Such power will collapse because of a whisper.
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Any politician who respects China’s government should tell it openly what is in his heart. It is disrespectful to keep quiet about such issues – both vis-a-vis the government and the people concerned.
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It also makes humanity much more safe. If we see pureness somewhere as something to be desired, the trouble starts.
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A society is healthy only when it allows its members to discuss their thoughts openly. This is also the only way that a society can gather consensus, let everyone express his or her wish, and foster creativity.
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