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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.

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
Two
Definitions
Always
Intention
Think
Anybody
Thinking
Expression
Politics
Freedom
Art
Definition
Political
Separate

More quotes by Ai Weiwei

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The IT people who have made such an effort to know and understand computer technology. They are frustrated that you cannot use Facebook, Twitter and YouTube in China. They are the first to recognize that the situation is terrible.
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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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If you don’t act, the danger becomes stronger.
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China and the U.S. are two societies with very different attitudes towards opinion and criticism. In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by Chinese authorities.
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Of course, there [in China] has to be chaos. It has to be crazy, and I don't think there's anything wrong about it except this government, which is really incapable of doing anything meaningful.
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We are living in a popular culture where everything is overexposed.
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Artists are the worst [people]. They are selfish, self-centred they don't care what happens.
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If a master, a wise and experienced man, wields a great weapon, that's beautiful. He can serve peace with it. But if someone's emotions are imbalanced, even if he has the best equipment, he will still mean danger. Modern technology requires calm. You shouldn't trust anyone with a car who has no knowledge about vehicles or roads.
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As a human being, member of society, you must clearly state your mind. It's a responsibility. It is the way you identify yourself otherwise you don't know who you are and why you are here.
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The Internet is uncontrollable. And if the Internet is uncontrollable, freedom will win. It's as simple as that.
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I think Allen [Ginsberg] was a person who's like a child.
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For me, it is OK as long as I can breathe, as long as my heart is pumping, as long as I can express myself.
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I think U.S. and China is a big opportunity, to be seen as partner or some kind of strategic partner maybe. But those kind of powers have a way of getting too big, then we'll have competition. And who is going to win the competition if U.S. cannot hold a strong ideology? And even the U.S. would've lost the ground to win.
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I hope that my work expresses my worldview and encourages people to exchange ideas.
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It's really rubbish that some kind of technical learning means you will be a better person because you know this skill better.
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This so-called fame or being better off doesn't really attract me at all.
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I think my stance and my way of life is my most important art.
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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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My childhood was quite extreme. Sometimes I was so weak I could not stand up. But now I am so strong. Life is unpredictable
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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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