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I don't think I was very structured in that society and I don't really believe in personal success, which most Americans believe in.

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
Really
Think
Thinking
Structured
Americans
Personal
Society
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More quotes by Ai Weiwei

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No matter what happens, nothing can prevent the historical process by which society demands freedom and democracy.
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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.
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This week, the world gathers in Beijing for the 2008 Olympic games. This is the extraordinary moment China has been dreaming of for 100 years. People have been longing for this moment, because it symbolises a turning point in China's relationship with the outside world.
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China is at a different stage of development, human rights are violated here much more often. And still, we see improvements even here.
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Today, we jump into this globalization of the economy and the internet age.
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Anyone fighting for freedom does not want to totally lose their freedom.
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I'm always interested in people who are not orientated in art circles to become part of it.
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It's always the rich and there's plenty to waste, yet still China has a lot of people living in very spare, poor conditions.
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I lived there [ in New York City] as an artist, but never as a Chinese artist.
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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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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.
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In my case, I was stuck there for quite a while. New York is large enough to be a very abstract city, so nobody cares.
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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 also doubt a man can give really clear reasons for anything.
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Creativity is part of human nature. It can only be untaught.
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Life is art. Art is life. I never separate it. I don’t feel that much anger. I equally have a lot of joy.
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For years, I refused to go to any openings, not even my own.
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I hope that my work expresses my worldview and encourages people to exchange ideas.
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Many people I know - writers, poets - they have all been sentenced not once but sometimes three times after they come out. They serve five or six years, come out another time, and then nine years. Come out again, 12 years. Only because they have a different opinion. They are innocent people, they have beautiful minds, beautiful hearts.
Ai Weiwei
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Art needs to stand for something.
Ai Weiwei