You start to see the society, how it functions, how it works. Then you have a lot of criticism about how it works.
AI WEIWEIIt is not an easy job to govern China, I am aware of that.
More Ai Weiwei Quotes
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This is a very general understanding of art in China, that being an artist can make you money and turn you into a star.
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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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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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For artists and intellectuals today, what is most needed is to be clear about social responsibility, because that is what most people automatically give up. Just to protect yourself as an individual is very political.
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What is important is that we actively express our thoughts and wishes, in every realm that we can access.
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The importance of elections, transparency, legal procedures, an independent army, and the judicial system is not regarded as highly in China. These core values are the most important evidence of the health of a society, quality of life, and security.
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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.
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I think by shattering it we can create a new form, a new way to look at what is valuable – how we decide what is valuable.
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I curated this show [Shanghai Biennale ], I was by no means trying to shock people or be controversial.
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I have people working together, doing different things: architecture, art installation, photography, publishing, and curatorial works and design.
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If there is no free speech, every single life has lived in vain
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I saw [Allen Ginsberg] more as an old man who liked poetry and who had a lot of physical and emotional problems. We liked our time together.
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Maybe being powerful means to be fragile.
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Creativity is part of human nature. It can only be untaught.
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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.
AI WEIWEI