China didn’t want to lose the cutting edge of technology. So the idea of having a Sina Weibo was an attempt to compete with Twitter. However, it has no soul – which is freedom of expression. Nevertheless,
AI WEIWEIYou need a purpose to express yourself, but that expression is its own purpose.
More Ai Weiwei Quotes
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The purpose of art is the fight for freedom.
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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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A state like China looks so powerful, but they are so scared of the Internet, so the Internet is more powerful than them.
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They’ve become part of a conspiracy, collaborators of the crime, which is lying to the general public and trying to hide the kind of criminal acts happening in many cases.
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Imagine one day, the hateful world around you collapses. And it is your attitude, words and actions that put an end to it. Will you be excited?
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I believe [the architecture firm] Herzog and de Meuron and our collaboration made the product the best it could be.
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I think the government regrets having Sina Weibo, but they cannot shut it down. That would definitely be suicidal.
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Liberty is about the right to question everything.
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Behind every political deal in this country, the first casualties are always the ordinary people, who are barely treated as human.
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I spent a lot of time standing on street corners [of New York City] talking to local residents. I spent time in bookstores and galleries. But most of the time, I really did not have much to do.
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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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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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There 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.
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Now I’ve come to such a mixed culture: America, Europe, South America, Africa. And the politics are changing everywhere all the time and becoming even more unpredictable.
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I don’t believe in a sense of home.
AI WEIWEI