Ai Weiwei Quotes, Country Quotes, Korea Quotes

To survive, China had to open up to the West. It could not survive otherwise. This was after many millions have died of hunger in a country that was like North Korea is today. Once we became part of global competition, we had to agree to some rules. It's painful, but we had to. Otherwise there was no way to survive.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Country Quotes , Korea Quotes

I remember one little rainy day I went searching for this apartment and I saw so many people standing on a stoop on the corner in the rain. Later I realized, that was drug traffic. They were all buying drugs.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Rain Quotes , People Quotes

Now I've come to such a mixed culture: America, Europe, South America, Africa. And the politics are changing everywhere all the time and becoming even more unpredictable. There's no such thing as "fixed" culture. China is also becoming more global. Its problems are becoming international problems, becoming German problems, becoming American problems. Nothing is clear-cut. Perhaps I'll find my way - or get totally lost.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Culture Quotes , Problem 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

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

If it's possible, I will have some noodles in the morning and start talking to people, start to think about a few things in my head - the project or a few ideas which are not finished or if there are possible directions and what will lead into another game. It's always like setting up some kind of game you can continuously play.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Morning Quotes , Thinking Quotes

Chinese government is very clearly losing power in every aspect, but trying to fix up all the problems or potential problems.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Government Quotes , Chinese Quotes

As a human being, member of society, you must clearly state your mind. It's a responsibility. It is the way you identify yourself otherwise you don't know who you are and why you are here.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Responsibility Quotes , Mind 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

Dont retreat. Retweet!

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Retreat Quotes

Destroy or build. Crazy or noncrazy. I'm not nostalgic about the old city. I don't enjoy it that much.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Crazy Quotes , Cities Quotes

No outdoor sports can be more elegant than throwing stones at autocracy; no melees can be more exciting than those in cyberspace.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Sports Quotes , Cyberspace 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.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Art Quotes , Thinking Quotes

My angst and my insecurity reflect the state's angst and insecurity. The state is scared too.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Insecurity Quotes , Scared 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

Beijing is constructing a 100,000 m2 modern art museum, yet it will not feature any of my work.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Art Quotes , Museums 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

I never saw [Allen Ginsberg] as some kind of crazy figure.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Crazy Quotes , Saws Quotes

We should also leave behind discrimination, because it is narrow-minded and ignorant, denies contact and warmth; and corrodes mankind's belief that we can better ourselves. The only way to avoid misunderstanding, war and bloodshed is to defend freedom of expression and to communicate with sincerity, concern and good intentions.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , War Quotes , Expression Quotes

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

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Long Quotes , China Quotes