Expressing oneself is like a drug. I'm so addicted to it. Ai Weiwei More Quotes by Ai Weiwei More Quotes From Ai Weiwei Overturning police cars is a super-intense workout. It’s probably the only sport I enjoy. Ai Weiwei car workout sports The Internet is the best thing that ever happened to China. It turns us into individuals and also enables us to share our perceptions and feelings. It creates a culture of individualism and exchange even though the real society doesn't promote it. There isn't a single Chinese university that can invite me to give a talk. Even though I know there are many students who would like to hear what I have to say. Ai Weiwei real feelings giving I don't think my father had a direct influence on me, but I do think, more or less, I was influenced by his independent individualism. And the kind of condition he had when he was in this society - the kind of mistreatment society gave him. Ai Weiwei independent father thinking What is important is that we actively express our thoughts and wishes, in every realm that we can access. Ai Weiwei realms important wish Behind every political deal in this country, the first casualties are always the ordinary people, who are barely treated as human. Ai Weiwei political country people It became like a symbolic thing, to be “an artist.” After Duchamp, I realized that being an artist is more about a lifestyle and attitude than producing some product. Ai Weiwei lifestyle artist attitude I'm totally independent. I don't bear any responsibility to any system. Ai Weiwei independent responsibility bears I loved New York — every inch of it. It was a little bit scary at that time, but still, the excitement was so strong — visually and intellectually. It was like a monster. Ai Weiwei scary strong new-york Life is art. Art is life. I never separate it. I don’t feel that much anger. I equally have a lot of joy. Ai Weiwei life-is joy art As a human being, member of society, you must clearly state your mind. It's a responsibility. It is the way you identify yourself otherwise you don't know who you are and why you are here. Ai Weiwei responsibility mind way I don't belong to a working system. They only select people if you belong to one so you can be controlled. Ai Weiwei select controlled people Everyone thinks the Chinese government selected me. Never ever. I was selected by Herzog and de Meuron. Ai Weiwei chinese government thinking I always want to design a frame that’s open to everyone. I don’t see art as a secret code. Ai Weiwei design secret art You need a purpose to express yourself, but that expression is its own purpose. Ai Weiwei purpose expression needs Freedom of expression is a very essential condition for me to make any art. Also, it is an essential value for my life. I have to protect this right and also to fight for the possibility. Ai Weiwei fighting expression art I deal with students every day - from China, Germany, the United States, Hong Kong and Taiwan. And I've noticed that the Chinese students are the least trained in having a sense of aesthetics. They lack any ability to sense what is beautiful or what is proper. They can be learned and skillful, but they lack the ability to make their own free judgment. It is really sad to see young adults of 20, 25 years who were never taught to make their own decisions. People who can't do that don't get a sense of responsibility. And if you lack a sense of responsibility, you push the blame onto the system. Ai Weiwei responsibility beautiful people This so-called fame or being better off doesn't really attract me at all. Ai Weiwei better-off fame I also have to speak out for people around me who are afraid, who think it is not worth it or who have totally given up hope. So I want to set an example: you can do it and this is OK, to speak out. Ai Weiwei speaks-out people thinking The media is the message. It carries the full intention and the meaning. Once you change it...it's very disturbing. Ai Weiwei intention media messages I think China is laughing about the results of the presidential elections. China, Russia, they all laugh about it. They see how dramatic U.S. has to be put this kind of shame on its own - cannot handle the situation. Or show such a difficulty with this liberal ideas. Men or women created equal. And to defend those very essential ideas. Ai Weiwei laughing men thinking
