“My definition of art has always been the same. It is about freedom of expression, a new way of communication. It is never about exhibiting in museums or about hanging it on the wall.” WayArtExpressionCommunicationWallDefinitionsMuseumsNew WaysFreedom Of Expression Author:Ai Weiwei
“Individual; that means he has his own special way to communicate, which creates the form of him. In the information age, this expression and communication has become so different.” WayMeanDifferentAgeFormIndividualSpecialInformationExpressionCommunicationCommunicateInformation Age Author:Ai Weiwei
“Through my work and ways of expression, I strive to engage in dialogue with the society that I am living in.” WayExpressionStriveDialogue Author:Ai Weiwei
“A society is healthy only when it allows its members to discuss their thoughts openly. This is also the only way that a society can gather consensus, let everyone express his or her wish, and foster creativity.” WayWishCreativityHealthyMembersConsensus Author:Ai Weiwei
“By participating in the society we live in, we understand our conditions and the way we relate to the world.” WorldWayConditionsRelateParticipating Author:Ai Weiwei
“If there's the right condition, I always want to express the concept or ideas in a very independent way.” IfsWayWantIdeasConditionsConceptsIndependent Author:Ai Weiwei
“You only have temporary curiosity, amusement, and challenges, but that does not necessarily mean you are really convinced that it's necessary or that it's not even worth to do it. It's just a way you have to set up some kind of activities to follow your instincts or your curiosities.” WayKindMeanDoeChallengesActivityInstinctCuriosityConvincedTemporaryAmusement Author:Ai Weiwei
“The whole attitude of society has become much more open and realistic. They realize that the only way to make a more democratic and free society is to let different opinions come out.” WayDifferentWholeRealizingAttitudeOpinionDemocraticRealisticFree SocietyDifferent Opinions 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
“Freedom of speech implies the world isn’t defined. It is meaningful when people are allowed to see the world their way.” PeopleWorldWaySpeechMeaningfulDefinedFreedom Of Speech Author:Ai Weiwei
“I think it’s a responsibility for any artist to protect freedom of expression and to use any way to extend this power.” ThinkingWayUseArtistResponsibilityExpressionProtectFreedom Of Expression Author:Ai Weiwei
“Self-censorship is insulting to the self. Timidity is a hopeless way forward.” WaySelfHopelessCensorshipInsultingTimidityWay ForwardSelf Censorship Author:Ai Weiwei
“We should also leave behind discrimination, because it is narrow-minded and ignorant, denies contact and warmth; and corrodes mankind's belief that we can better ourselves. The only way to avoid misunderstanding, war and bloodshed is to defend freedom of expression and to communicate with sincerity, concern and good intentions.” WayShouldWarBeliefBehindsMankindExpressionConcernIntentionCommunicateDenyDiscriminationIgnorantContactWarmthSincerityMisunderstandingGood IntentionsFreedom Of ExpressionBloodshedNarrow-minded Author:Ai Weiwei
“I think my stance and my way of life is my most important art.” ThinkingWayArtImportantLife IsMy WayStance Author:Ai Weiwei
“Being an artist is more of a mindset, a way of seeing things; it is no longer so much about producing something.” WayArtistSeeingMindsetBeing An Artist Author:Ai Weiwei
“My definition of art has always been the same. It is about freedom of expression, a new way of communication. It is never about exhibiting in museums or about hanging it on the wall. Art should live in the heart of the people. Ordinary people should have the same ability to understand art as anybody else. I don’t think art is elite or mysterious. I don’t think anybody can separate art from politics. The intention to separate art from politics is itself a very political intention.” PeopleThinkingWayShouldHeartArtPoliticalAbilityExpressionCommunicationWallOrdinaryArt IsShould HaveIntentionDefinitionsMysteriousMuseumsElitesNew WaysOrdinary PeopleFreedom Of Expression Author:Ai Weiwei
“I think by shattering it we can create a new form, a new way to look at what is valuable — how we decide what is valuable.” ThinkingWayLooksFormValuableNew WaysShattering Author:Ai Weiwei
“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.” KnowsWayMindHumansStatesHuman BeingsResponsibilityMembersWho You AreBeing Me Author:Ai Weiwei
