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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
Understanding
Responsibilities
American
Influenced
Freedom
Individuality
Experience
Basic
Human
Citizens
Humans
Expression
Responsibility
Rights

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I often feel more disgust than pride about this kind of success. So there's no regret whatsoever.
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This so-called contemporary art is not a form, but a philosophy of society.
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Everyone wants an iPhone, but it would be impossible to design an iPhone in China because it's not a product it's an understanding of human nature.
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I think art is a very important weapon to achieve human freedom
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If civil society has nobody who protects the law, then what kind of society is that?
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Any design, any city, any kind of craziness or tragedy, it all comes from a long time of preparation.
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It doesn't matter where I am - China will stay in me. I don't know how far I can still walk on this road and what is the limit.
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Freedom of expression is a very essential condition for me to make any art. Also, it is an essential value for my life. I have to protect this right and also to fight for the possibility.
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Self-censorship is insulting to the self. Timidity is a hopeless way forward.
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The museums used to be exhibition halls for government propaganda, and now every city wants to build a museum. A few thousand are to be built in the next few years, all using taxpayer money. But there is no system, no research, no content, no good programs, no good managers.
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In China, we don't have any contemporary art museums. Until a few years ago, we didn't even have a gallery.
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You're still being looked at as somebody who - it's a very complicated issue.
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You see so many people doing quite nice and respectful work, but nobody like Warhol. Warhol is outstanding. I think he has a value that is far from fully understood. He's very special for younger generations.
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Censorship is saying: I'm the one who says the last sentence. Whatever you say, the conclusion is mine. But the internet is like a tree that is growing. The people will always have the last word – even if someone has a very weak, quiet voice. Such power will collapse because of a whisper.
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The freedom of speech is an important yardstick for a society's level of civilization.
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That's why I always question this sense. The feeling of home really requires a lot of trust. It requires you to identify with it, which I always find myself very contradictory to.
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No outdoor sports can be more elegant than throwing stones at autocracy no melees can be more exciting than those in cyberspace.
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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.
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I was an illegal alien for many, many years. I couldn't move. If I moved I could not even get a visa back.
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When you have strict censorship of the internet, young students cannot receive a full education. Their view of the world is imbalanced. There can be no true discussion of the issues.
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