Quote

I spent a lot of time standing on street corners [of New York City] talking to local residents. I spent time in bookstores and galleries. But most of the time, I really did not have much to do.

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
Street
Galleries
Really
York
Bookstores
Time
Standing
Residents
City
Gallery
Streets
Locals
Local
Cities
Corners
Talking
Spent
Much

More quotes by Ai Weiwei

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I have to find a place for my own. I have to search for my own happiness.
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We see the tendency in the world to criticise democracy and sometimes even to say that authoritarian countries like China are more efficient. That is very short-sighted. China looks efficient only because it can sacrifice most people's rights. This is not something the west should be happy about.
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I think my stance and my way of life is my most important art.
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No outdoor sports can be more elegant than throwing stones at autocracy no melees can be more exciting than those in cyberspace.
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This so-called contemporary art is not a form, but a philosophy of society.
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Each year, more people want to become artists.
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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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I will never leave China, unless I am forced to. Because China is mine. I will not leave something that belongs to me in the hands of people I do not trust.
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I don't think there is a distinct change, because in the West I'm not a person who can serve his purpose.
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These are nonviolent people who have lost their freedom simply because they expressed their ideas….In truth, they are heroes of our time.
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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.
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I think we cannot have a double standard. We cannot see our art as different from the reality. We cannot use two different sets of judgment.
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Art needs to stand for something.
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The art always wins. Anything can happen to me, but the art will stay.
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[Being unique] gives so much privilege to people who can make it, rather than having some moral and aesthetic discussions.
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By participating in the society we live in, we understand our conditions and the way we relate to the world.
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No state or society can claim to have established human rights once and for all.
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Today, the general masses in this society are in this political-social condition that really encourages people to become rich and become a star and be unique.
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Everything is art. Everything is politics.
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Growing up, my family was an enemy of the state. I have experienced more disappointment than joy, much more sad stories or desperate conditions.
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