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

More quotes by Ai Weiwei

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To the media, I have become a symbolic figure, critical of China. According to the government, I am a dangerous threat.
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I think by not letting young people be fully informed, how can they have energy and passion and the right picture of the world? I think that's the true crime.
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I have people working together, doing different things: architecture, art installation, photography, publishing, and curatorial works and design.
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When human beings are scared and feel everything is exposed to the government, we will censor ourselves from free thinking. That's dangerous for human development.
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Through my work and ways of expression, I strive to engage in dialogue with the society that I am living in.
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I'm always interested in people who are not orientated in art circles to become part of it.
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Technology is a liberation. I think the information age probably is the best thing to happen to the human race in human evolution. Now you have the equal opportunity to equip yourself through information and knowledge and express yourself as an independent mind.
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Behind every political deal in this country, the first casualties are always the ordinary people, who are barely treated as human.
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I think my stance and my way of life is my most important art.
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The whole Chinese system - not just the political leadership, the military too, the whole power structure, our education system, the whole of society - is suffering from being cut off from the free flow of information. That's why the country can't face up to open competition - unless it resorts to measures like North Korea.
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I have to respect my life, and free expression is part of my life. I can never really silence myself.
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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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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 always admire writers. My father was a writer, a poet. I always admire people who can clearly state their mind.
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If artists cannot speak up for human dignity or rights, then who else will do it?
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To give a price to an artwork, no matter how high or low, is always absurd. It's not something that can be measured by money or by certain numbers.
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Many people are going to use [Beijing National Stadium], which makes it more meaningful. If we don't design it, somebody else has to design it.
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I don't think China should care if this crazy old guy should have a show here or not. You have so many museums in the West, and so many shows, you need somebody to show the work, otherwise it's empty.
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Art needs to stand for something.
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Everyone thinks the Chinese government selected me. Never ever. I was selected by Herzog and de Meuron.
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