Ai Weiwei
Ai Weiwei
Ai Weiwei; born 28 August 1957 in Beijing) is a Chinese Contemporary artist and activist. His father's side's original surname is 蔣 Jiang. Ai collaborated with Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron as the artistic consultant on the Beijing National Stadium for the 2008 Olympics. As a political activist, he has been highly and openly critical of the Chinese Government's stance on democracy and human rights. He has investigated government corruption and cover-ups, in particular the Sichuan schools corruption scandal...
NationalityChinese
ProfessionSculptor
Date of Birth18 May 1957
CityBeijing, China
CountryChina
By participating in the society we live in, we understand our conditions and the way we relate to the world.
The rest of the world understands little about China's changes and the possibilities and crises that come with them.
My understanding of Chinese history is limited. So far, I have only scratched its surface; I wish I could find out more.
The freedom of speech is an important yardstick for a society's level of civilization.
China has a rich history that has spanned millennia. It consists of the histories of many nations and regions.
There is no media freedom in China. As a result, the society is corrupt and lacks productivity. It is unable to adjust itself for progress. This will lead to the country's eventual downfall.
All movies in China are censored. Out of 600 movies produced in China, only 60 are allowed to show in theatres.
Beijing is constructing a 100,000 m2 modern art museum, yet it will not feature any of my work.
What is important is that we actively express our thoughts and wishes, in every realm that we can access.
I hope that my work expresses my worldview and encourages people to exchange ideas.
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.
We live in changing times, and many people experience the challenges that come with it. In the face of uncertain futures, no one will know what to expect.
The so-called culture nowadays is only a fake one with a superficial front. It is an empty lie.
Beijing's Olympics were very grand - they were trying to throw a party for the world, but the hosts didn't enjoy it. The government didn't care about people's feelings because it was trying to create an image.