“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.” PeopleWorldArtI CanShowsCultureActorsNationsGrowsEconomyCuriosityChinaAround The WorldAppetiteColourfulArt And Culture Author:Ai Weiwei
“Warhol came from an ordinary family and he had a profound understanding about capitalism and material culture. He was probably one of the few Western artists - or artists from the United States - that could be considered a true product of his time and brought out that kind of spirit of the culture.” KindStatesSpiritArtistCultureUnderstandingUnitedUnited StatesMaterialsProductsOrdinaryCapitalismProfoundWesternWarhol Author:Ai Weiwei
“China's culture and history are closely related to my living environment. This country is my birthplace. It is also where I grew up. Its culture and history shape my relations with family, friends, society, and daily life.” CountryCultureEnvironmentGrewShapesGrew UpRelationChinaRelatedDaily LifeFamily FriendsBirthplace Author:Ai Weiwei
“China seems unpredictable because it has a distinct culture and social system. It is still a mystery to other parts of the world, even though the veil of China has been lifted many times as a result of globalization.” WorldHas BeensStillsSeemsCultureSocialResultsMysteryChinaUnpredictableVeilsGlobalizationSocial Systems Author:Ai Weiwei
“So-called Chinese art and culture is under control of the Party. They exist to serve the official agenda. I call it fake art and culture.” ArtCulturePartyChineseFakeOfficialsAgendasArt And CultureChinese Art Author:Ai Weiwei
“Modern Chinese culture is weak and lackluster.” CultureModernWeakChineseChinese Culture Author:Ai Weiwei
“The so-called culture nowadays is only a fake one with a superficial front. It is an empty lie.” LyingCultureFrontsEmptyFakeSuperficial Author:Ai Weiwei
“China spends a lot of resources and effort on gaining soft power over culture. The hope is that it can be the last lifeline for the Party's survival. Obviously, the idea will fail.” IdeasLastsCulturePartyEffortFailingSurvivalResourcesChinaLifelines Author:Ai Weiwei
“We are living in a popular culture where everything is overexposed.” CulturePopular Culture Author:Ai Weiwei
“[Cultural department] understand nothing but bureaucratic daily affairs. They don't care about culture.” CareCultureAffairDon't CareDepartment Author:Ai Weiwei
“[Cultural departments] don't care about culture. Maybe they're the furthest from the people who understand culture.” PeopleCareCultureDon't CareDepartment Author:Ai Weiwei
“Everything is selected by the central government without good judgment or an understanding of culture to make it really safe. They will become nobody to maintain their power and be raised to the next higher level.” GovernmentCultureNextUnderstandingLevelsHigherSafeJudgmentRaisedSelectedHigher LevelGood JudgmentCentral Government Author:Ai Weiwei
“I don't personally feel any association with a kind of culture related to state, or culture related to power, which I think is always disgusting.” ThinkingFeelsKindStatesCultureRelatedAssociationDisgusting Author:Ai Weiwei
“Now I've come to such a mixed culture: America, Europe, South America, Africa. And the politics are changing everywhere all the time and becoming even more unpredictable. There's no such thing as "fixed" culture. China is also becoming more global. Its problems are becoming international problems, becoming German problems, becoming American problems. Nothing is clear-cut. Perhaps I'll find my way - or get totally lost.” ProblemCultureMy WayUnpredictable Author:Ai Weiwei
“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.” GivingRealFeelingsCultureIndividualShareStudentsInternetPerceptionChineseIndividualism Author:Ai Weiwei
“Widespread state control over art and culture has left no room for freedom of expression in the country. For more than 60 years, anyone with a dissenting opinion has been suppressed. Chinese art is merely a product: it avoids any meaningful engagement. There is no larger context. Its only purpose is to charm viewers with its ambiguity.” YearsHas BeensArtCountryStatesPurposeCultureLeftRoomsOpinionExpressionProductsArt IsMeaningfulChineseCharmEngagementViewersAmbiguityFreedom Of ExpressionArt And CultureChinese Art Author:Ai Weiwei
