The only way to avoid misunderstanding, war and bloodshed is to defend freedom of expression and to communicate with sincerity, concern and good intentions.
AI WEIWEII have to respect my life, and free expression is part of my life. I can never really silence myself.
More Ai Weiwei Quotes
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And the kind of condition he had when he was in this society – the kind of mistreatment society gave him.
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The art always wins. Anything can happen to me, but the art will stay.
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Even if there have been setbacks during these past years, China is changing. China’s society is opening.
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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.
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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 wouldn’t say I’ve become more radical: I was born radical.
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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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I think everybody deserves freedom. Freedom is such an abstract word, but it’s all we need.
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I think Donald Trump should cool down a little bit. To pay more attention to the history. To really understand what U.S.’s value is about. I think, as a president, those things you always have to ask.
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The world is not changing if you don’t shoulder the burden of responsibility.
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The relationship between the Chinese government and me is like a Cold War.
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As a person, I was born to give out my opinions. By giving out my opinions, I realize who I am.
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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 hope that my work expresses my worldview and encourages people to exchange ideas.
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In a society like this there is no negotiation, no discussion, except to tell you that power can crush you any time they want — not only you, your whole family and all people like you.
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China didn’t want to lose the cutting edge of technology. So the idea of having a Sina Weibo was an attempt to compete with Twitter. However, it has no soul – which is freedom of expression. Nevertheless,
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We should also leave behind discrimination, because it is narrow-minded and ignorant, denies contact and warmth; and corrodes mankind’s belief that we can better ourselves.
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You only have temporary curiosity, amusement, and challenges, but that does not necessarily mean you are really convinced that it’s necessary or that it’s not even worth to do it.
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[Cultural departments] don’t care about culture. Maybe they’re the furthest from the people who understand culture.
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To the media, I have become a symbolic figure, critical of China. According to the government, I am a dangerous threat.
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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.
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In my life, I often make so-called major decisions by very quick, immediate responses.
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[Shanghai Biennale] has been my attitude for as long as I’ve been practicing art and other cultural-related activities.
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It’s the place they take you before they give you over to the judicial system. You stay there for a year or two and they make you really suffer to confess everything.
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If there is no freedom of expression, then the beauty of life is lost. Participation in a society is not an artistic choice, it’s a human need.
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In the end, I think, the state’s rigidity is a function of its own insecurity, its indecisiveness.
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