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[Shanghai Biennale] has been my attitude for as long as I've been practicing art and other cultural-related activities.

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
Activities
Cultural
Related
Activity
Attitude
Art
Long
Shanghai
Practicing

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Choices after waking up: To be true or to lie? To take action or be brainwashed? To be free or be jailed?
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Measuring national prestige by gold medals is like using Viagra to judge the potency of a man.
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I'm not a writer, but today I think you have to be everything. As an artist you have an obligation to let people know what is on your mind and why you're doing this.
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It [success] is really by mistake.
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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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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 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.
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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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Say what you say plainly, and then take responsibility for it.
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In a society like this there is no negotiation, no discussion, except to tell you that power can crush you any time they want — not only you, your whole family and all people like you.
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Maybe [success] is because I'm in China and I'm more open. Maybe it's my independent behavior, or because I participated in certain projects. I have no idea.
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