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.
AI WEIWEIThe 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.
AI WEIWEIMaybe being powerful means to be fragile.
AI WEIWEINo state or society can claim to have established human rights once and for all.
AI WEIWEIYou need a purpose to express yourself, but that expression is its own purpose.
AI WEIWEII never had secure, belonging feelings with this society [in China].
AI WEIWEII also doubt a man can give really clear reasons for anything.
AI WEIWEII have people working together, doing different things: architecture, art installation, photography, publishing, and curatorial works and design.
AI WEIWEITo the media, I have become a symbolic figure, critical of China. According to the government, I am a dangerous threat.
AI WEIWEIWe 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.
AI WEIWEIThis week, the world gathers in Beijing for the 2008 Olympic games. This is the extraordinary moment China has been dreaming of for 100 years.
AI WEIWEII never regret anything.
AI WEIWEII was in the most restricted prison in China, the most tough. The design of the prison is modeled for internal crimes of the Communist party, so it’s like a mafia family’s law. It’s independent to the law this nation openly applies.
AI WEIWEIThe museums used to be exhibition halls for government propaganda, and now every city wants to build a museum.
AI WEIWEII also have to speak out for people around me who are afraid, who think it is not worth it or who have totally given up hope. So I want to set an example: you can do it and this is OK, to speak out.
AI WEIWEICreativity is part of human nature. It can only be untaught.
AI WEIWEIPeople 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