People who can’t do that don’t get a sense of responsibility. And if you lack a sense of responsibility, you push the blame onto the system.
AI WEIWEI[Shanghai Biennale] has been my attitude for as long as I’ve been practicing art and other cultural-related activities.
More Ai Weiwei Quotes
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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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The purpose of art is the fight for freedom.
AI WEIWEI -
The United States is a melting pot. Like John F. Kennedy said, it’s a nation of immigrants. But Donald Trump wants to build a fence that clearly makes the statement: “You and I are divided.
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The practice of photography is no longer a means for recording reality. Instead, it has become reality itself
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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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After I came back [to China], there was still a long period of time when I felt I had nothing to do.
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We should use this public sphere and redefine – beyond China’s borders – what a government is allowed to do, where its powers end and where the realm of a citizen’s privacy begins.
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There are many cases and layers of racist behavior in the US – from police treatment to the issues of education and job opportunities. In America, however, such cases are being discussed publically.
AI WEIWEI -
The society was so different [in China] – it was a feudalistic society. It didn’t come to a point of industrial revolution until twenty years ago.
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Life is art. Art is life. I never separate it. I don’t feel that much anger. I equally have a lot of joy.
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I always want to design a frame that’s open to everyone. I don’t see art as a secret code.
AI WEIWEI -
These are nonviolent people who have lost their freedom simply because they expressed their ideas….In truth, they are heroes of our time.
AI WEIWEI -
In this kind of dictatorship, in this kind of totalitarian society, it is easy to make deals that you cannot make in a democratic society.
AI WEIWEI -
The whole Chinese system – not just the political leadership, the military too, the whole power structure, our education system, the whole of society – is suffering from being cut off from the free flow of information.
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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.
AI WEIWEI