What counts in the end is what the government does.
AI WEIWEIBehind every political deal in this country, the first casualties are always the ordinary people, who are barely treated as human.
More Ai Weiwei Quotes
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There’s no such thing as “fixed” culture. China is also becoming more global. Its problems are becoming international problems, becoming German problems, becoming American problems.
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I think it’s a responsibility for any artist to protect freedom of expression and to use any way to extend this power.
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For those actors and directors who produce films which are always about the old kingdom or about heroes.
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As a total activity – I practice curating, art, architecture, writing, and publishing all together. I still act as a living creature.
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Nationality and borders are barriers to our intelligence, to our imagination and to all kinds of possibilities.
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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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People have been longing for this moment, because it symbolises a turning point in China’s relationship with the outside world.
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To call yourself a Chinese artist or woman artist or African artist reflects a certain kind of condition. To me, that is not necessary.
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Today, the general masses in this society are in this political-social condition that really encourages people to become rich and become a star and be unique.
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[Cultural departments] don’t care about culture. Maybe they’re the furthest from the people who understand culture.
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I think it’s quite narrow-minded. There wasn’t much encouragement or opportunities for any artist – not just Chinese artists.
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Had I to create a name for these times, I’d say it is the age of craziness
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Art should live in the heart of the people. Ordinary people should have the same ability to understand art as anybody else. I don’t think art is elite or mysterious.
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No state or society can claim to have established human rights once and for all.
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You’re still being looked at as somebody who – it’s a very complicated issue.
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