Quote

We should use this public sphere and redefine - beyond China's borders - what a government is allowed to do, where its powers end and where the realm of a citizen's privacy begins.

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
Citizens
Citizen
Beyond
Realms
Public
Privacy
Use
Borders
Ends
Powers
Redefine
Government
Begins
Sphere
Allowed
Spheres
China
Realm

More quotes by Ai Weiwei

Image
Freedom of speech implies the world isn’t defined. It is meaningful when people are allowed to see the world their way.
Ai Weiwei
Image
For artists and intellectuals today, what is most needed is to be clear about social responsibility, because that is what most people automatically give up. Just to protect yourself as an individual is very political. You don't have to march on Tiananmen, but you do have to be clear-minded, to find your own means of expression.
Ai Weiwei
Image
I’m an artist who is always looking for what is possible. I’m always looking to extend the boundaries.
Ai Weiwei
Image
In China, we don't have any contemporary art museums. Until a few years ago, we didn't even have a gallery.
Ai Weiwei
Image
I don't belong to a working system. They only select people if you belong to one so you can be controlled.
Ai Weiwei
Image
Everyone thinks the Chinese government selected me. Never ever. I was selected by Herzog and de Meuron.
Ai Weiwei
Image
[Being unique] gives so much privilege to people who can make it, rather than having some moral and aesthetic discussions.
Ai Weiwei
Image
I always want to design a frame that’s open to everyone. I don’t see art as a secret code.
Ai Weiwei
Image
This so-called contemporary art is not a form, but a philosophy of society.
Ai Weiwei
Image
I never really read Allen Ginsberg poetry, even though I have a book he gave me.
Ai Weiwei
Image
I remember one little rainy day I went searching for this apartment and I saw so many people standing on a stoop on the corner in the rain. Later I realized, that was drug traffic. They were all buying drugs.
Ai Weiwei
Image
I'm totally independent. I don't bear any responsibility to any system.
Ai Weiwei
Image
I suddenly realized I was getting ten opening notes a day on my mobile phone, more than when I was in New York. But this is China, where nothing is surprising.
Ai Weiwei
Image
At the moment about 350,000 students return to China from abroad each year - 350,000 young and educated people. I know about them because they know me and often ask me in the street if they can take a selfie with me. These folks are creative and ironic, and the government can ultimately not control what is going on in their heads.
Ai Weiwei
Image
During the days in detention, I thought most about the moon.
Ai Weiwei
Image
My understanding of Chinese history is limited. So far, I have only scratched its surface I wish I could find out more.
Ai Weiwei
Image
We grew up in a very material-lacking socialist society, but today China is a capitalist society. It's very materialistic. It's full of desire and luxury goods.
Ai Weiwei
Image
I don't like China. Even today, I still feel I have no emotional relations with this place.
Ai Weiwei
Image
We have to give our opinion, we have to say something, or we are a part of it. As an artist I am forced to say something.
Ai Weiwei
Image
No state or society can claim to have established human rights once and for all.
Ai Weiwei