“In China, we don't have any contemporary art museums. Until a few years ago, we didn't even have a gallery.” YearsArtYears AgoChinaContemporaryMuseumsGalleryContemporary Art Author:Ai Weiwei
“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.'” PhilosophyValuesNationsHigherStrongerChinaFasterLandscapeContemplationPushingEmphasisSlogansAdaptedTranquilSportsman Author:Ai Weiwei
“China and the U.S. are two societies with very different attitudes towards opinion and criticism. In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by Chinese authorities.” TwoDifferentMovingAttitudeOpinionAuthorityCriticismChinaChineseSurveillanceOften IsCensoredDifferent Attitude Author:Ai Weiwei
“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.” HumansLawValuesBeliefRecordsRightsEssentialsToughHuman RightsCorruptionChinaDebatePresidentialCandidatesSuspectsExpensesPartnershipTopicsRomneyStrategicControversialRule Of LawHuman ValuesTacklingPresidential DebateControversial Topics 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.” PeopleBelieveJoySpiritGamesSpeakEventsRegardDon't BelieveChinaPersonal ExperiencesOlympic Spirit 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.” PeopleWorldYearsHas BeensMomentsDreamGamesWeekLongingExtraordinaryChinaOutside WorldTurning PointsOlympic GamesBeijingExtraordinary Moments 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.” WayCountryTodayMillionsDiedAgreeCompetitionWestHungerPainfulChinaKoreaNorth Korea Author:Ai Weiwei
“You can never know what is and what is not powerful, but you can always find out what the powerful people are scared of. A state like China looks so powerful, but they are so scared of the Internet, so the Internet is more powerful than them.” PeopleKnowsLooksStatesPowerfulInternetScaredChina Author:Ai Weiwei
