My angst and my insecurity reflect the state's angst and insecurity. The state is scared too.
Ai WeiweiI curated this show [Shanghai Biennale ], I was by no means trying to shock people or be controversial.
Ai WeiweiOnce I was in New York, I completely had no interest for a long time in what happened in China because I had been through so much. Seeing my father's life struggle and so many whole generations lose their potential or possibility in their lives. Just being pushed into this political struggle and the damage done not only to their lives but their relatives.
Ai WeiweiThe Internet has established a public sphere and developed a pressure which the government can no longer ignore.
Ai WeiweiThe society was so different [in China] - it was a feudalistic society. It didn't come to a point of industrial revolution until twenty years ago.
Ai WeiweiThe United States is a melting pot. Like John F. Kennedy said, it's a nation of immigrants. But Donald Trump wants to build a fence that clearly makes the statement: "You and I are divided. We're different, and you're dangerous." That kind of thinking stops human, civilized evolution. It's dangerous to create that kind of tension.
Ai Weiwei