Ai Weiwei Quotes, Artist Quotes, Chinese 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.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Artist Quotes , Chinese 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

Because Chinese art is booming, it legitimizes this profession.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Art Quotes , Chinese Quotes

A historical property has morals and ethics of the society that created it and it can be revived. What I mean is that we can discover new possibilities from the process of dismantling, transforming, and recreating.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Mean Quotes , Historical Quotes

I have to find a place for my own. I have to search for my own happiness.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , My Own 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

My definition of art has always been the same. It is about freedom of expression, a new way of communication. It is never about exhibiting in museums or about hanging it on the wall. Art should live in the heart of the people. Ordinary people should have the same ability to understand art as anybody else. I don’t think art is elite or mysterious. I don’t think anybody can separate art from politics. The intention to separate art from politics is itself a very political intention.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Art Quotes , Wall Quotes

Today, the general masses in this society are in this political-social condition that really encourages people to become rich and become a star and be unique.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Stars Quotes , Unique 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

For me, it is OK as long as I can breathe, as long as my heart is pumping, as long as I can express myself.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Heart Quotes , Long Quotes

Imagine one day, the hateful world around you collapses. And it is your attitude, words and actions that put an end to it. Will you be excited?

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Attitude Quotes , One Day Quotes

I think optimism is whether you are still exhilarated by life, whether you are curious, whether you still believe there is possibility.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Believe Quotes , Thinking 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.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Reality Quotes , People Quotes

Once I was in New York, I completely had no interest for a long time in what happened in China because I had been through so much. Seeing my father's life struggle and so many whole generations lose their potential or possibility in their lives. Just being pushed into this political struggle and the damage done not only to their lives but their relatives.

6 years ago

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

When I first got into the first-year study after the Cultural Revolution, got into the same school with this group, I wasn't conscious of the so-called "Fifth Generation." I didn't like that kind of study condition because there's no real, true education there.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Real Quotes , School Quotes

In a society that restricts individual freedoms and violates human rights, anything that calls itself creative or independent is a pretence. It is impossible for a totalitarian society to create anything with passion and imagination.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Passion Quotes , Independent Quotes

The world is sphere, has no East or West.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , East Quotes , World Quotes

We see the tendency in the world to criticise democracy and sometimes even to say that authoritarian countries like China are more efficient. That is very short-sighted. China looks efficient only because it can sacrifice most people's rights. This is not something the west should be happy about.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Country Quotes , Sacrifice Quotes

A nation like China has become one of the biggest production fields for exporting cheap labor, which also re-questions our history and past, re-questions human desire, and the human illusions of the past.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Past Quotes , Desire Quotes

The people who control culture in China have no culture.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , People Quotes , Culture Quotes