Quote

My image of what a city should be - the super-rich and all the poor and desperate and the people who have some kind of a desire. It's a surviving game, people trying to survive on many different levels.

Ai Weiwei

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

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
Kind
Game
Surviving
People
Rich
Super
Games
Desperate
Poor
Survive
Desire
Image
Many
City
Different
Levels
Trying
Cities

More quotes by Ai Weiwei

Image
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.
Ai Weiwei
Image
Your own acts tell the world who you are and what kind of society you think it should be.
Ai Weiwei
Image
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.
Ai Weiwei
Image
I never really read Allen Ginsberg poetry, even though I have a book he gave me.
Ai Weiwei
Image
I want people to see their own power.
Ai Weiwei
Image
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.
Ai Weiwei
Image
Expressing oneself is like a drug. I'm so addicted to it.
Ai Weiwei
Image
Say what you say plainly, and then take responsibility for it.
Ai Weiwei
Image
Society becomes very destructive.
Ai Weiwei
Image
I often feel more disgust than pride about this kind of success. So there's no regret whatsoever.
Ai Weiwei
Image
I hope that my work expresses my worldview and encourages people to exchange ideas.
Ai Weiwei
Image
We move so fast that memory is something we can only grasp
Ai Weiwei
Image
I have people working together, doing different things: architecture, art installation, photography, publishing, and curatorial works and design.
Ai Weiwei
Image
China is an old nation with a colourful history. Its booming economy has triggered an appetite and a curiosity around the world for its art and culture, one that continues to grow. I can, however, tell people that it is a show with no actor.
Ai Weiwei
Image
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.
Ai Weiwei
Image
I don't think there is a distinct change, because in the West I'm not a person who can serve his purpose.
Ai Weiwei
Image
The American experience influenced my understanding of individuality, basic human rights, freedom of expression and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
Ai Weiwei
Image
Modern Chinese culture is weak and lackluster.
Ai Weiwei
Image
Chinese citizens have never had the right to really express their opinions in the constitution it says you can, but in the real world it is more dangerous. In the west people think it's a right they're born with. Here it's a right given by the government, and one that's not really practised.
Ai Weiwei
Image
To survive, China had to open up to the West. It could not survive otherwise. This was after many millions have died of hunger in a country that was like North Korea is today. Once we became part of global competition, we had to agree to some rules. It's painful, but we had to. Otherwise there was no way to survive.
Ai Weiwei