Even though everybody who looked at me would call me a Chinese artist, that’s the 1980s. New York in the ’80s was not so interesting.
AI WEIWEIDictatorship is a story about death of others who turn out to be you coincidently.
More Ai Weiwei Quotes
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By participating in the society we live in, we understand our conditions and the way we relate to the world.
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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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So for too long Americans take liberty as granted. We think we are in the safe hand, the democracy and the liberty, which is not true. And it can be even getting much worse than today.
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Any individual can contribute its own belief. And our society or even our government are made by the people. The people would have the final voice, but it requires each individual to act. If we don’t act, then the result is very clear.
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They lack any ability to sense what is beautiful or what is proper. They can be learned and skillful, but they lack the ability to make their own free judgment. It is really sad to see young adults of 20, 25 years who were never taught to make their own decisions.
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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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I think the government regrets having Sina Weibo, but they cannot shut it down. That would definitely be suicidal.
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If it’s possible, I will have some noodles in the morning and start talking to people, start to think about a few things in my head.
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I think it’s more important to show your work to the public.
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I never felt like a Chinese citizen because I was pushed away at a very young age. My father, a writer, was a national enemy of the Communist Party. He was forbidden to write for 20 years.
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Today, we jump into this globalization of the economy and the internet age.
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Nationality started as something natural, but we should not be restrained by the old politics that make up these clear lines. It should have its own way of evolving. In some places, it will evolve slower and in others, faster.
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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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I want people to see their own power.
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I’m just bringing them to Kassel to see the art show, and pay their room and board.
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