Ai Weiwei Quotes, New York Quotes, Father 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

My typical day is I wake up and appreciate that I can still wake up.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Appreciate Quotes , Typical Quotes

We should use this public sphere and redefine - beyond China's borders - what a government is allowed to do, where its powers end and where the realm of a citizen's privacy begins.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Government Quotes , Spheres 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

A lot of the time [in the U.S.], I was thinking about how spending time is always questionable or is always the biggest obstacle in my life.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Thinking Quotes , Obstacles Quotes

I wouldn’t say I’ve become more radical: I was born radical.

6 years ago

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If human rights are supposed to have any meaning, then they have to be discussed openly.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Rights Quotes , Human Rights 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.'

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Philosophy Quotes , Stronger Quotes

During the days in detention, I thought most about the moon.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Moon Quotes

I never had secure, belonging feelings with this society [in China].

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Feelings Quotes , China 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

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.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Crush Quotes , People Quotes

I always want people to be confused, to be shocked or realize something later.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Confused Quotes , People 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

The whole attitude of society has become much more open and realistic. They realize that the only way to make a more democratic and free society is to let different opinions come out.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Attitude Quotes , Different Quotes

Even though everybody who looked at me would call me a Chinese artist, that's the 1980s. New York in the '80s was not so interesting. I think it's quite narrow-minded. There wasn't much encouragement or opportunities for any artist - not just Chinese artists.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Encouragement Quotes , New York 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

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

I lived there [ in New York City] as an artist, but never as a Chinese artist.

6 years ago

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

Recently I danced in a video spoof of the song 'Gangnam Style,' and it was quickly banned across multiple Chinese online video platforms. But the story still traveled all over the world, carried in hundreds of international media reports.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Song Quotes , Media Quotes