Ai Weiwei Quotes, Real Quotes, Thinking Quotes

Chinese citizens have never had the right to really express their opinions; in the constitution it says you can, but in the real world it is more dangerous. In the west people think it's a right they're born with. Here it's a right given by the government, and one that's not really practised.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Real Quotes , Thinking Quotes

New York was not a romantic city at [80th]. Nobody knows who you are and you don't have to care about anybody else. It's a very cold city, I should say.

6 years ago

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

I will never leave China, unless I am forced to. Because China is mine. I will not leave something that belongs to me in the hands of people I do not trust.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Hands Quotes , People Quotes

I call on people to be 'obsessed citizens,' forever questioning and asking for accountability. That's the only chance we have today of a healthy and happy life.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Happy Life Quotes , People Quotes

My musician friends are banned from playing concerts in China because they share the same views as I do. My name cannot appear on the web, because my opinion is different from the Party.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Party Quotes , Views 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.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Real Quotes , Giving Quotes

This so-called contemporary art is not a form, but a philosophy of society.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Art Quotes , Philosophy Quotes

I loved New York — every inch of it. It was a little bit scary at that time, but still, the excitement was so strong — visually and intellectually. It was like a monster.

6 years ago

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

We move so fast that memory is something we can only grasp

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Memories Quotes

Everyone thinks the Chinese government selected me. Never ever. I was selected by Herzog and de Meuron.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Thinking Quotes , Government Quotes

For years, I refused to go to any openings, not even my own.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Years Quotes , Opening Quotes

I don't think China has professional museums - not in the past, present, or near future.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Past Quotes , Thinking 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

Life is art. Art is life. I never separate it. I don’t feel that much anger. I equally have a lot of joy.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Art Quotes , Joy Quotes

I saw [Allen Ginsberg] more as an old man who liked poetry and who had a lot of physical and emotional problems. We liked our time together.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Men Quotes , Emotional Quotes

The importance of elections, transparency, legal procedures, an independent army, and the judicial system is not regarded as highly in China. These core values are the most important evidence of the health of a society, quality of life, and security. A clear understanding of such differences will help the rest of the world understand China and all that is happening to the nation.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Independent Quotes , Army Quotes

So-called Chinese art and culture is under control of the Party. They exist to serve the official agenda. I call it fake art and culture.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Art Quotes , Fake Quotes

China's culture and history are closely related to my living environment. This country is my birthplace. It is also where I grew up. Its culture and history shape my relations with family, friends, society, and daily life.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Country Quotes , Culture Quotes

Life is never guaranteed to be safe, so we better use it while we are still in good condition.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Use Quotes , Safe Quotes

Just look at the statistics: Each university has tens of thousands of applications for students who want to be in art school, but they can only accept a few hundred.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Art Quotes , School Quotes