Being an artist is more of a mindset, a way of seeing things; it is no longer so much about producing something.
AI WEIWEIWe have to give our opinion, we have to say something, or we are a part of it. As an artist I am forced to say something.
More Ai Weiwei Quotes
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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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I think by not letting young people be fully informed, how can they have energy and passion and the right picture of the world? I think that’s the true crime.
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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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Without freedom of speech, there is no modern world, just a barbaric one.
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I don’t think China should care if this crazy old guy should have a show here or not.
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The intention to separate art from politics is itself a very political intention.
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But personally, I don’t think my work and my understanding of art is so much related to being Chinese, but the character of that. Maybe it’s beyond my own consciousness.
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Life is much more interesting when you make a little bit of effort.
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I never really read Allen Ginsberg poetry, even though I have a book he gave me.
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I have to respect my life, and free expression is part of my life. I can never really silence myself.
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I will bring 1,001 Chinese to participate as my artwork there – any Chinese who is a Chinese passport holder and over eighteen years old could apply through my blog.
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If human rights are supposed to have any meaning, then they have to be discussed openly.
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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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When human beings are scared and feel everything is exposed to the government, we will censor ourselves from free thinking. That’s dangerous for human development.
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Each year, more people want to become artists.
AI WEIWEI