Quote

If there is no freedom of expression, then the beauty of life is lost. Participation in a society is not an artistic choice, it’s a human need.

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
Need
Expression
Needs
Beauty
Life
Choices
Society
Freedom
Lost
Participation
Human
Artistic
Humans
Choice

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Any politician who respects China's government should tell it openly what is in his heart. It is disrespectful to keep quiet about such issues - both vis-a-vis the government and the people concerned.
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Life is never guaranteed to be safe, so we better use it while we are still in good condition.
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No state or society can claim to have established human rights once and for all.
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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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Now many enterprises are made by individuals, so the attitude has started to change.
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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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In a society that restricts individual freedoms and violates human rights, anything that calls itself creative or independent is a pretence. It is impossible for a totalitarian society to create anything with passion and imagination.
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All the rich people collect traditional Chinese art. So it's very natural for Chinese families to still see art as the highest human performance and send their children to this field.
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I have always stated I designed the stadium as a toilet seat. I don't care if this is a great cultural event or a national symbol. It has nothing to do with me. It deals with the city.
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The tragic reality of today is reflected in the true plight of our spiritual existence. We are spineless and cannot stand straight.
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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.
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All movies in China are censored. Out of 600 movies produced in China, only 60 are allowed to show in theatres.
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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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In my life, I often make so-called major decisions by very quick, immediate responses.
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I think Allen [Ginsberg] was a person who's like a child.
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If people are being abused or even killed during an arrest, this is highly disturbing.
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You only have temporary curiosity, amusement, and challenges, but that does not necessarily mean you are really convinced that it's necessary or that it's not even worth to do it. It's just a way you have to set up some kind of activities to follow your instincts or your curiosities.
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The so-called culture nowadays is only a fake one with a superficial front. It is an empty lie.
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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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