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The American experience influenced my understanding of individuality, basic human rights, freedom of expression and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

Ai Weiwei

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Ai Weiwei
Age: 67
Born: 1957
Born: May 18
Architect
Consultant
Contemporary Artist
Designer
Film Director
Human Rights Activist
Painter
Photographer
Sculptor
Social Activist
Peking
Wei-wei Ai
Weiwei Ai
Ai Wei Wei
Human
Citizens
Humans
Expression
Responsibility
Rights
Understanding
Responsibilities
American
Influenced
Freedom
Individuality
Experience
Basic

More quotes by Ai Weiwei

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I always admire writers. My father was a writer, a poet. I always admire people who can clearly state their mind.
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China is at a different stage of development, human rights are violated here much more often. And still, we see improvements even here.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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Individual that means he has his own special way to communicate, which creates the form of him. In the information age, this expression and communication has become so different.
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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.
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For all the tough talk about China during the presidential debates, Romney and Obama evaded any mention of China's suspect human rights record, corruption, and rule of law. By not tackling these controversial topics, the candidates are protecting a strategic partnership with China at the expense of essential human values and beliefs.
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No matter what happens, nothing can prevent the historical process by which society demands freedom and democracy.
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There are no outdoor sports as graceful as throwing stones at a dictatorship.
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It became like a symbolic thing, to be “an artist.” After Duchamp, I realized that being an artist is more about a lifestyle and attitude than producing some product.
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Selling high or low doesn't mean anything. It has to do purely with the market.
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China didn't want to lose the cutting edge of technology. So the idea of having a Sina Weibo was an attempt to compete with Twitter. However, it has no soul - which is freedom of expression. Nevertheless, I think the government regrets having Sina Weibo, but they cannot shut it down. That would definitely be suicidal.
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I never had secure, belonging feelings with this society [in China].
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The people who control culture in China have no culture.
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If my art has nothing to do with people's pain and sorrow, what is 'art' for?
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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.
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We are living in a popular culture where everything is overexposed.
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I think optimism is whether you are still exhilarated by life, whether you are curious, whether you still believe there is possibility.
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Everyone of us is a potential convict.
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