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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.

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
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Event
Experience
China
Spirit
Regard
Hosted
Without
Events
Constructed
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Olympic
People
Joy
Include
Called
Games
Failed

More quotes by Ai Weiwei

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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.
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I think my stance and my way of life is my most important art.
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I always want people to be confused, to be shocked or realize something later.
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My typical day is I wake up and appreciate that I can still wake up.
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I don't like China. Even today, I still feel I have no emotional relations with this place.
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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.
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I wouldn’t say I’ve become more radical: I was born radical.
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Our lives are bound by physical limits, familial ties, political conditions, and geographical restrictions. Individual freedom takes us beyond them all.
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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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If you just turn to your paper or television each day, there are thousands of stories that are much more shocking than the gallery artworks.
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You need a purpose to express yourself, but that expression is its own purpose.
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I don't think China has professional museums - not in the past, present, or near future.
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Being an artist is more of a mindset, a way of seeing things it is no longer so much about producing something.
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Once you've tasted freedom, it stays in your heart and no one can take it. Then, you can be more powerful than a whole country.
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New York is a city where you're so alone, you're an individual, you can disappear. You can make something happen. But it's very different to make something happen in the art world.
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I think it’s a responsibility for any artist to protect freedom of expression and to use any way to extend this power.
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Once you've tasted freedom, it stays in your heart...
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