Ai Weiwei Quotes (46 quotes)

Picture of quotation author Ai Weiwei
„I'm always followed by two or three cars and have police around. Even walking in the park, you see them taking photos behind the bushes and trying to videotape everything.“
― Ai Weiwei ―
Picture of quotation author Ai Weiwei
„So maybe there are three parts in my life - earlier background living in exile in Xinjiang in a very political circumstance, then later the United States from 24 to 36 years old. I was quite equipped with liberal thinking. Then the Internet. If there is no Internet, of course, I cannot really exercise my opinion or my ideas.“
― Ai Weiwei ―
Picture of quotation author Ai Weiwei
„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.“
― Ai Weiwei ―
Picture of quotation author Ai Weiwei
„Because Great Britain has self-confidence, it doesn't need a monumental Olympics.“
― Ai Weiwei ―
Picture of quotation author Ai Weiwei
„The 'Bird's Nest' National Stadium, which I helped to conceive, is designed to embody the Olympic spirit of 'fair competition.' It tells people that freedom is possible but needs fairness, courage and strength.“
― Ai Weiwei ―
Picture of quotation author Ai Weiwei
„Recently I danced in a video spoof of the song 'Gangnam Style,' and it was quickly banned across multiple Chinese online video platforms. But the story still traveled all over the world, carried in hundreds of international media reports.“
― Ai Weiwei ―
Picture of quotation author Ai Weiwei
„Twitter was like a poem. It was rich, real and spontaneous. It really fit my style. In a year and a half, I tweeted 60,000 tweets, over 100,000 words. I spent a minimum eight hours a day on it, sometimes 24 hours.“
― Ai Weiwei ―
Picture of quotation author Ai Weiwei
„To survive, China had to open up to the West. It could not survive otherwise. This was after many millions have died of hunger in a country that was like North Korea is today. Once we became part of global competition, we had to agree to some rules. It's painful, but we had to. Otherwise there was no way to survive.“
― Ai Weiwei ―
Picture of quotation author Ai Weiwei
„To protect the right of expression is the central part of an artist's activity... In China many essential rights are lacking, and I wanted to remind people of this.“
― Ai Weiwei ―
Picture of quotation author Ai Weiwei
„Since the global economic crisis began, the change in global attitudes is clear to see - and I think it is pitiful. Barack Obama came to China and he is probably the only president of the United States never to mention the words 'human rights' in public.“
― Ai Weiwei ―
Picture of quotation author Ai Weiwei
„Now the British are coming. I think Cameron should ask the Chinese government not to make people 'disappear' or to jail them merely because they have different opinions.“
― Ai Weiwei ―
Picture of quotation author Ai Weiwei
„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.“
― Ai Weiwei ―
Picture of quotation author Ai Weiwei
„I don't think it's worth discussing new directions in the context of Chinese art - there were no old directions, either. Chinese art has never had any clear orientation.“
― Ai Weiwei ―
Picture of quotation author Ai Weiwei
„Beijing's Olympics were very grand - they were trying to throw a party for the world, but the hosts didn't enjoy it. The government didn't care about people's feelings because it was trying to create an image.“
― Ai Weiwei ―
Picture of quotation author Ai Weiwei
„Because of the economic crisis, China and the United States are bound together. This is a totally new phenomenon, and nobody will fight for ideology anymore. It's all about business.“
― Ai Weiwei ―
Picture of quotation author Ai Weiwei
„People are always wondering if I am an artist or political activist or politician. Maybe I'll just clearly tell you: Whatever I do is not art. Let's say it is just objects or materials, movies or writing, but not art, OK?“
― Ai Weiwei ―
Picture of quotation author Ai Weiwei
„The seed is a household object but at the same time it is a revolutionary symbol.“
― Ai Weiwei ―
Picture of quotation author Ai Weiwei
„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 ―
Picture of quotation author Ai Weiwei
„I'm most embarrassed at my art shows, even though I don't show it.“
― Ai Weiwei ―
Picture of quotation author Ai Weiwei
„The Chinese art world does not exist. In a society that restricts individual freedoms and violates human rights, anything that calls itself creative or independent is a pretence. It is impossible for a totalitarian society to create anything with passion and imagination.“
― Ai Weiwei ―

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Author information

Ai Weiwei
Author born: May 18, 1957
Nationality: Chinese
Author Profession: Artist

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