Ai Weiwei Quotes, Thinking Quotes, Humanity Quotes

I think I'm just a traveler. When you walk across a river and there's no bridge, you build one. I'm used to having to deal with Chinese Communist ideology - it's not really an ideology, but a method of control. But China's problems are not just China's problems - they're human problems. Humanity has always worked better when you see it as one.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Thinking Quotes , Humanity Quotes

China is at a different stage of development, human rights are violated here much more often. And still, we see improvements even here.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Rights Quotes , Different Quotes

Hopefully, other successes aren't like me. It carries much more meaning to other people; my success story is irrelevant. It doesn't make any sense.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , People Quotes , Stories Quotes

China has not established the rule of law and if there is a power above the law there is no social justice. Everybody can be subjected to harm. I'm just a citizen: my life is equal in value to any other. But I'm thankful that when I lost my freedom so many people shared feelings and put such touching effort into helping me.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Law Quotes , Justice Quotes

Freedom of expression is a very essential condition for me to make any art. Also, it is an essential value for my life. I have to protect this right and also to fight for the possibility.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Art Quotes , Fighting Quotes

There are many cases and layers of racist behavior in the US - from police treatment to the issues of education and job opportunities. In America, however, such cases are being discussed publically.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Jobs Quotes , Opportunity Quotes

At the moment about 350,000 students return to China from abroad each year - 350,000 young and educated people. I know about them because they know me and often ask me in the street if they can take a selfie with me. These folks are creative and ironic, and the government can ultimately not control what is going on in their heads.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Government Quotes , Years Quotes

Growing up, my family was an enemy of the state. I have experienced more disappointment than joy, much more sad stories or desperate conditions.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Growing Up Quotes , Disappointment Quotes

Overturning police cars is a super-intense workout. It’s probably the only sport I enjoy.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Sports Quotes , Workout Quotes

Many people are going to use [Beijing National Stadium], which makes it more meaningful. If we don't design it, somebody else has to design it.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Meaningful Quotes , People Quotes

A society is healthy only when it allows its members to discuss their thoughts openly. This is also the only way that a society can gather consensus, let everyone express his or her wish, and foster creativity.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Creativity Quotes , Healthy Quotes

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.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Passion Quotes , Thinking Quotes

If there is no free speech, every single life has lived in vain

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Single Life Quotes , Speech Quotes

To express yourself needs a reason, but expressing yourself is the reason.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Needs Quotes , Reason Quotes

You can never know what is and what is not powerful, but you can always find out what the powerful people are scared of. A state like China looks so powerful, but they are so scared of the Internet, so the Internet is more powerful than them.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Powerful Quotes , People Quotes

Art is always about overcoming obstacles between the inner condition and the skill for expression.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Art Quotes , Expression Quotes

New York is a city where you're so alone, you're an individual, you can disappear. You can make something happen. But it's very different to make something happen in the art world.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Art Quotes , New York Quotes

I don't think China should care if this crazy old guy should have a show here or not. You have so many museums in the West, and so many shows, you need somebody to show the work, otherwise it's empty.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Crazy Quotes , Thinking Quotes

[Cultural departments] don't care about culture. Maybe they're the furthest from the people who understand culture.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , People Quotes , Culture Quotes

China spends a lot of resources and effort on gaining soft power over culture. The hope is that it can be the last lifeline for the Party's survival. Obviously, the idea will fail.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Party Quotes , Ideas Quotes