|

|

Advertisements

Ai Weiwei Quotes

Twitter is the people’s tool, the tool of the ordinary people, people who have no other resources Picture Quote #1

Being an artist is more of a mindset, a way of seeing things; it is no longer so much about producing something Picture Quote #1

In an environment without public platform nor protection, the individual is the most powerful and most responsible Picture Quote #1

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 Picture Quote #1

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 Picture Quote #1

I call on people to be ‘obsessed citizens,’ forever questioning and asking for accountability. That’s the only chance we have today of a healthy and happy life Picture Quote #1

Advertisements

Censorship is saying: ‘I’m the one who says the last sentence. Whatever you say, the conclusion is mine.’ But the internet is like a tree that is growing. The people will always have the last word - even if someone has a very weak, quiet voice. Such power will collapse because of a whisper Picture Quote #1

Historically, China is not a nation of sportsmen. We traditionally put more emphasis on being close to nature than pushing endlessly to excel. A philosophy that values tranquil contemplation of the landscape cannot easily be adapted to the Olympic slogan of ‘higher, stronger, faster.’ Picture Quote #1

For all the tough talk about China during the presidential debates, Romney and Obama evaded any mention of China’s suspect human rights record, corruption, and rule of law. By not tackling these controversial topics, the candidates are protecting a strategic partnership with China at the expense of essential human values and beliefs Picture Quote #1

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 Picture Quote #1

I see the Beijing National Stadium as an architectural project. I accepted Herzog and De Meuron’s invitation to collaborate on the design, and our proposal won the competition. From beginning to end, I stayed with the project. I am committed to fostering relationships between a city and its architecture Picture Quote #1

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 Picture Quote #1

Advertisements

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 Picture Quote #1

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 Picture Quote #1

Self-censorship is insulting to the self. Timidity is a hopeless way forward Picture Quote #1

The Internet is uncontrollable. And if the Internet is uncontrollable, freedom will win. It’s as simple as that Picture Quote #1

My childhood was quite extreme. Sometimes I was so weak I could not stand up. But now I am so strong. Life is unpredictable Picture Quote #1

My work is always a ready-made... cultural, political, or social, and also it could be art - to make people re-look at what we have done, its original position, to create new possibilities Picture Quote #1

Advertisements

I am everywhere and I am nowhere. That’s the beauty of the Internet Age Picture Quote #1

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 Picture Quote #1

China has not established the rule of law and if there is a power above the law there is no social justice. Everybody can be subjected to harm. I’m just a citizen: my life is equal in value to any other. But I’m thankful that when I lost my freedom so many people shared feelings and put such touching effort into helping me Picture Quote #1

Chinese citizens have never had the right to really express their opinions; in the constitution it says you can, but in the real world it is more dangerous. In the west people think it’s a right they’re born with. Here it’s a right given by the government, and one that’s not really practised Picture Quote #1

As a person, I was born to give out my opinions. By giving out my opinions, I realize who I am. As long as I can communicate, I’m not so lonely. If I cannot travel, or do art, or have company, if they take away all my belongings, it doesn’t matter at all Picture Quote #1

Every day I’m learning something new from the practice. It’s very rewarding Picture Quote #1

Advertisements

As a total activity - I practice curating, art, architecture, writing, and publishing all together. I still act as a living creature Picture Quote #1

After I came back [to China], there was still a long period of time when I felt I had nothing to do Picture Quote #1

Police in China can do whatever they want; after 81 days in arbitrary detention you clearly realise that they don’t have to obey their own laws. In a society like this there is no negotiation, no discussion, except to tell you that power can crush you any time they want - not only you, your whole family and all people like you Picture Quote #1

I think everybody deserves freedom. Freedom is such an abstract word, but it’s all we need Picture Quote #1

No state or society can claim to have established human rights once and for all Picture Quote #1

The American experience influenced my understanding of individuality, basic human rights, freedom of expression and the rights and responsibilities of citizens Picture Quote #1

1 2 3 4 5 6

Friendship Quotes

Motivational Quotes

Inspirational Quotes

Advertisements

Text Quotes

Twitter is the people’s tool, the tool of the ordinary people, people who have no other resources (Ai Weiwei Quotes) Being an artist is more of a mindset, a way of seeing things; it is no longer so much about producing something (Ai Weiwei Quotes) In an environment without public platform nor protection, the individual is the most powerful and most responsible (Ai Weiwei Quotes) 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 Quotes) 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 Quotes) I call on people to be ‘obsessed citizens,’ forever questioning and asking for accountability. That’s the only chance we have today of a healthy and happy life (Ai Weiwei Quotes) Censorship is saying: ‘I’m the one who says the last sentence. Whatever you say, the conclusion is mine.’ But the internet is like a tree that is growing. The people will always have the last word - even if someone has a very weak, quiet voice. Such power will collapse because of a whisper (Ai Weiwei Quotes) Historically, China is not a nation of sportsmen. We traditionally put more emphasis on being close to nature than pushing endlessly to excel. A philosophy that values tranquil contemplation of the landscape cannot easily be adapted to the Olympic slogan of ‘higher, stronger, faster.’ (Ai Weiwei Quotes) For all the tough talk about China during the presidential debates, Romney and Obama evaded any mention of China’s suspect human rights record, corruption, and rule of law. By not tackling these controversial topics, the candidates are protecting a strategic partnership with China at the expense of essential human values and beliefs (Ai Weiwei Quotes) 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 Quotes) I see the Beijing National Stadium as an architectural project. I accepted Herzog and De Meuron’s invitation to collaborate on the design, and our proposal won the competition. From beginning to end, I stayed with the project. I am committed to fostering relationships between a city and its architecture (Ai Weiwei Quotes) 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 Quotes) 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 Quotes) 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 Quotes) Self-censorship is insulting to the self. Timidity is a hopeless way forward (Ai Weiwei Quotes) The Internet is uncontrollable. And if the Internet is uncontrollable, freedom will win. It’s as simple as that (Ai Weiwei Quotes) My childhood was quite extreme. Sometimes I was so weak I could not stand up. But now I am so strong. Life is unpredictable (Ai Weiwei Quotes) My work is always a ready-made... cultural, political, or social, and also it could be art - to make people re-look at what we have done, its original position, to create new possibilities (Ai Weiwei Quotes) I am everywhere and I am nowhere. That’s the beauty of the Internet Age (Ai Weiwei Quotes) 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 (Ai Weiwei Quotes) China has not established the rule of law and if there is a power above the law there is no social justice. Everybody can be subjected to harm. I’m just a citizen: my life is equal in value to any other. But I’m thankful that when I lost my freedom so many people shared feelings and put such touching effort into helping me (Ai Weiwei Quotes) Chinese citizens have never had the right to really express their opinions; in the constitution it says you can, but in the real world it is more dangerous. In the west people think it’s a right they’re born with. Here it’s a right given by the government, and one that’s not really practised (Ai Weiwei Quotes) As a person, I was born to give out my opinions. By giving out my opinions, I realize who I am. As long as I can communicate, I’m not so lonely. If I cannot travel, or do art, or have company, if they take away all my belongings, it doesn’t matter at all (Ai Weiwei Quotes) Every day I’m learning something new from the practice. It’s very rewarding (Ai Weiwei Quotes) As a total activity - I practice curating, art, architecture, writing, and publishing all together. I still act as a living creature (Ai Weiwei Quotes) After I came back [to China], there was still a long period of time when I felt I had nothing to do. (Ai Weiwei Quotes) Police in China can do whatever they want; after 81 days in arbitrary detention you clearly realise that they don’t have to obey their own laws. In a society like this there is no negotiation, no discussion, except to tell you that power can crush you any time they want - not only you, your whole family and all people like you. (Ai Weiwei Quotes) I think everybody deserves freedom. Freedom is such an abstract word, but it’s all we need. (Ai Weiwei Quotes) No state or society can claim to have established human rights once and for all (Ai Weiwei Quotes) The American experience influenced my understanding of individuality, basic human rights, freedom of expression and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. (Ai Weiwei Quotes)

1 2 3 4 5 6