Ai Weiwei Quotes, Artist Quotes, Way Quotes

Being an artist is more of a mindset, a way of seeing things; it is no longer so much about producing something.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Artist Quotes , Way 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

If artists cannot speak up for human dignity or rights, then who else will do it?

6 years ago

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I think everybody deserves freedom. Freedom is such an abstract word, but it's all we need.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Art Quotes , Thinking 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

Otherwise, I think the building can be bigger, larger, and the city can be much more crazy. The problem is the government structure is so deadly stupid, not really solving problems but creating a lot of problems itself every day.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Crazy Quotes , Stupid 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

[Being unique] gives so much privilege to people who can make it, rather than having some moral and aesthetic discussions.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Unique Quotes , People Quotes

In the '80s, you couldn't walk in the neighborhood without looking back to see if anyone was following you. You had your key in your hand before you got to your apartment and you'd rush in so you didn't have to stop.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Keys Quotes , Hands Quotes

There are no outdoor sports as graceful as throwing stones at a dictatorship.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Sports Quotes , Throwing Stones Quotes

Of course, people will call you an old artist or young artist, which is just a character of you. But personally, I don't think my work and my understanding of art is so much related to being Chinese, but the character of that. Maybe it's beyond my own consciousness.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Art Quotes , Character 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.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Thinking Quotes , Different Quotes

Modern Chinese culture is weak and lackluster.

6 years ago

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

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Thinking Quotes , Purpose Quotes

To work in architecture you are so much involved with society, with politics, with bureaucrats. It's a very complicated process to do large projects. You start to see the society, how it functions, how it works. Then you have a lot of criticism about how it works.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Badass Quotes , Bad Ass Quotes

My definition of art has always been the same. It is about freedom of expression. I don’t think anybody can separate art from politics. The intention to separate [the two] is itself a very political intention.

6 years ago

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Your own acts tell the world who you are and what kind of society you think it should be.

6 years ago

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The practice of photography is no longer a means for recording reality. Instead, it has become reality itself

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Photography Quotes , Mean Quotes

If I walk on the street, if I go to a restaurant, people come to me and say: "Can we take a photo together? Can you give me your autograph?" They would bring their expensive Armani or Prada wallet to sign. Other people who are desperate show me a photo of their dead daughter and ask: Can you support me? I tell them: How can I? Morally, of course, I sympathize with you. But I cannot support you and you cannot support me. This is the condition of this society. We are separated.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Daughter Quotes , Support You Quotes

I don't believe in the so-called Olympic spirit. I speak from personal experience. When China hosted the Games, it failed to include the people. The event was constructed without regard for their joy.

6 years ago

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Tags : Ai Weiwei Quotes , Believe Quotes , Games Quotes