Everyone thinks the Chinese government selected me. Never ever. I was selected by Herzog and de Meuron.

Through my work and ways of expression, I strive to engage in dialogue with the society that I am living in.

I think everybody deserves freedom. Freedom is such an abstract word, but it's all we need.

The idea to use backpacks came from my visit to Sichuan after the earthquake in May 2008. During the earthquake many schools collapsed. Thousands of young students lost their lives, and you could see bags and study material everywhere. Then you realize individual life, media, and the lives of the students are serving very different purposes. The lives of the students disappeared within the state propaganda, and very soon everybody will forget everything.

China is at a different stage of development, human rights are violated here much more often. And still, we see improvements even here.

If we all say the same thing, then I think the government has to listen. But because no one is saying it, I become singled out, even though what I'm saying is common sense. It's very essential values that we all have to protect. But in Chinese society, people are giving up on protecting these values.

Say what you say plainly, and then take responsibility for it.