Quote

People have a tendency to become elite rather than to care about the general conditions of the society, which makes me sick. It's an unbearable condition.

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
Makes
Tendency
Become
Tendencies
Care
Condition
People
Sick
General
Conditions
Elite
Society
Unbearable
Rather
Elites

More quotes by Ai Weiwei

Image
Behind every political deal in this country, the first casualties are always the ordinary people, who are barely treated as human.
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
I was an illegal alien for many, many years. I couldn't move. If I moved I could not even get a visa back.
Ai Weiwei
Image
Widespread state control over art and culture has left no room for freedom of expression in the country. For more than 60 years, anyone with a dissenting opinion has been suppressed. Chinese art is merely a product: it avoids any meaningful engagement. There is no larger context. Its only purpose is to charm viewers with its ambiguity.
Ai Weiwei
Image
Art should live in the heart of the people. Ordinary people should have the same ability to understand art as anybody else. I don't think art is elite or mysterious.
Ai Weiwei
Image
[Cultural departments] don't care about culture. Maybe they're the furthest from the people who understand culture.
Ai Weiwei
Image
The relationship between the Chinese government and me is like a Cold War.
Ai Weiwei
Image
If human rights are supposed to have any meaning, then they have to be discussed openly.
Ai Weiwei
Image
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.
Ai Weiwei
Image
China didn't want to lose the cutting edge of technology. So the idea of having a Sina Weibo was an attempt to compete with Twitter. However, it has no soul - which is freedom of expression. Nevertheless, I think the government regrets having Sina Weibo, but they cannot shut it down. That would definitely be suicidal.
Ai Weiwei
Image
I also doubt a man can give really clear reasons for anything.
Ai Weiwei
Image
I have to respect my life, and free expression is part of my life. I can never really silence myself.
Ai Weiwei
Image
I don’t want the next generation to fight the same fight as I did.
Ai Weiwei
Image
Otherwise, I think the building can be bigger, larger, and the city can be much more crazy. The problem is the government structure is so deadly stupid, not really solving problems but creating a lot of problems itself every day.
Ai Weiwei
Image
I think Allen [Ginsberg] was a person who's like a child.
Ai Weiwei
Image
The whole attitude of society has become much more open and realistic. They realize that the only way to make a more democratic and free society is to let different opinions come out.
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
The Internet is uncontrollable. And if the Internet is uncontrollable, freedom will win. It's as simple as that.
Ai Weiwei
Image
I think China is laughing about the results of the presidential elections. China, Russia, they all laugh about it. They see how dramatic U.S. has to be put this kind of shame on its own - cannot handle the situation. Or show such a difficulty with this liberal ideas. Men or women created equal. And to defend those very essential ideas.
Ai Weiwei
Image
It's really rubbish that some kind of technical learning means you will be a better person because you know this skill better.
Ai Weiwei