I'm not a writer, but today I think you have to be everything. As an artist you have an obligation to let people know what is on your mind and why you're doing this.
Ai WeiweiI think of art as coming from daily life, daily experience. I think it's very important not to have it become work for some kind of elite circle.
Ai WeiweiMy image of what a city should be - the super-rich and all the poor and desperate and the people who have some kind of a desire. It's a surviving game, people trying to survive on many different levels.
Ai WeiweiAny design, any city, any kind of craziness or tragedy, it all comes from a long time of preparation.
Ai WeiweiThe 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