I came back [to Beijing ] because that’s the only time I had an excuse to come back, or otherwise I would never have a reason to come back.
AI WEIWEIThe Internet is uncontrollable. And if the Internet is uncontrollable, freedom will win. It’s as simple as that.
More Ai Weiwei Quotes
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Freedom of expression is a very essential condition for me to make any art. Also, it is an essential value for my life. I have to protect this right and also to fight for the possibility.
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As a person, I was born to give out my opinions. By giving out my opinions, I realize who I am.
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Even if there have been setbacks during these past years, China is changing. China’s society is opening.
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Life is art. Art is life. I never separate it.
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We literally lived underground. We dug a hole and lived there for years. My father cleaned public toilets, even though he was a highly respected poet.
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To the media, I have become a symbolic figure, critical of China. According to the government, I am a dangerous threat.
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I think to deal with the situation like human crisis, 65 million people being displaced, lost their home, and with such human tragedy, has to make every level of society to be conscious and to be alert about the situation.
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If I really have nothing to do, I just watch my cats, take some photos, and go back to my personal blog.
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I want people to see their own power.
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I think art certainly is the vehicle for us to develop any new ideas, to be creative, to extend our imagination, to change the current conditions.
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If we all say the same thing, then I think the government has to listen. But because no one is saying it, I become singled out, even though what I’m saying is common sense.
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Everything is selected by the central government without good judgment or an understanding of culture to make it really safe. They will become nobody to maintain their power and be raised to the next higher level.
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You only have temporary curiosity, amusement, and challenges, but that does not necessarily mean you are really convinced that it’s necessary or that it’s not even worth to do it.
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This so-called fame or being better off doesn’t really attract me at all.
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My definition of art has always been the same. It is about freedom of expression. I don’t think anybody can separate art from politics. The intention to separate [the two] is itself a very political intention.
AI WEIWEI