Ai Weiwei Quotes, Real Quotes, Giving Quotes

The Internet is the best thing that ever happened to China. It turns us into individuals and also enables us to share our perceptions and feelings. It creates a culture of individualism and exchange even though the real society doesn't promote it. 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.

5 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Real Quotes , Giving Quotes

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. We're different, and you're dangerous." That kind of thinking stops human, civilized evolution. It's dangerous to create that kind of tension.

5 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Thinking Quotes , Different Quotes

Everything is art. Everything is politics.

5 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Art Quotes , World Quotes

Politics is like air and water. And you know if there is bad politics. Everyone is polluted. Everyone is unhealthy. See the people walking on the street: how they act.

5 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Air Quotes , People Quotes

To experience poetry is to see over and above reality. It is to discover that which is beyond the physical, to experience another life and another level of feeling. It is to wonder about the world, to understand the nature of people and, most importantly, to be shared with another, old or young, known or unknown.

5 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Reality Quotes , People Quotes

In my case, I was stuck there for quite a while. New York is large enough to be a very abstract city, so nobody cares.

5 years ago

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

The idea to use backpacks came from my visit to Sichuan after the earthquake in May 2008. During the earthquake many schools collapsed. Thousands of young students lost their lives, and you could see bags and study material everywhere. Then you realize individual life, media, and the lives of the students are serving very different purposes. The lives of the students disappeared within the state propaganda, and very soon everybody will forget everything.

5 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , School Quotes , Media Quotes

Historically, China is not a nation of sportsmen. We traditionally put more emphasis on being close to nature than pushing endlessly to excel. A philosophy that values tranquil contemplation of the landscape cannot easily be adapted to the Olympic slogan of 'higher, stronger, faster.'

5 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Philosophy Quotes , Stronger 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.

5 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Meaningful Quotes , People Quotes

It [success] is really by mistake.

5 years ago

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A city is a place that can offer maximum freedom. Otherwise it’s incomplete.

5 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Cities Quotes , Incomplete Quotes

If a nation cannot face its past, it has no future.

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Past Quotes , Faces Quotes

After I came back [to China], there was still a long period of time when I felt I had nothing to do.

5 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Long Quotes , China Quotes

I think of art as coming from daily life, daily experience. I think it's very important not to have it become work for some kind of elite circle.

5 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Art Quotes , Thinking Quotes

To call yourself a Chinese artist or woman artist or African artist reflects a certain kind of condition. To me, that is not necessary.

5 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Artist Quotes , Chinese Quotes

If I really have nothing to do, I just watch my cats, take some photos, and go back to my personal blog.

5 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Cat Quotes , Watches Quotes

I don't think there is a distinct change, because in the West I'm not a person who can serve his purpose.

5 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Thinking Quotes , Purpose Quotes

Choices after waking up: To be true or to lie? To take action or be brainwashed? To be free or be jailed?

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Lying Quotes , Choices Quotes

I don't think it's worth discussing new directions in the context of Chinese art - there were no old directions, either. Chinese art has never had any clear orientation.

5 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Art Quotes , Thinking Quotes

Everything is selected by the central government without good judgment or an understanding of culture to make it really safe. They will become nobody to maintain their power and be raised to the next higher level.

5 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Government Quotes , Understanding Quotes