#us

China has not established the rule of law and if there is a power above the law there is no social justice. Everybody can be subjected to harm. I'm just a citizen: my life is equal in value to any other. But I'm thankful that when I lost my freedom so many people shared feelings and put such touching effort into helping me. ↗

— Ai Weiwei

#any #china #citizen #effort #equal

Chinese citizens have never had the right to really express their opinions; in the constitution it says you can, but in the real world it is more dangerous. In the west people think it's a right they're born with. Here it's a right given by the government, and one that's not really practised. ↗

— Ai Weiwei

#chinese #citizens #constitution #dangerous #express

I just wrote a book, but don't go out and buy it yet, because I don't think it's finished yet. ↗

— Lawrence Welk

#book #buy #finished #go #i

Everyone wants an iPhone, but it would be impossible to design an iPhone in China because it's not a product; it's an understanding of human nature. ↗

— Ai Weiwei

#china #design #everyone #human #human nature

I don't think it's worth discussing new directions in the context of Chinese art - there were no old directions, either. Chinese art has never had any clear orientation. ↗

— Ai Weiwei

#art #chinese #clear #context #directions

I have always noticed that deeply and truly religious persons are fond of a joke, and I am suspicious of those who aren't. ↗

— Alfred North Whitehead

#am #deeply #fond #i #i am

What I had to do was keep the story within certain limits of what was, of course, plausible. ↗

— Arthur Golden

#course #had #i #keep #limits

I think Chinese leadership is trying to tell the world they have another set of logic or reasoning or values which are different from yours. Of course, I don't think they believe that. It's just an argument that's made when you can't confront the truth and facts. They really want to maintain power. ↗

— Ai Weiwei

#argument #believe #chinese #confront #course

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. ↗

— Ai Weiwei

#become #chinese #common #common sense #essential

People are always wondering if I am an artist or political activist or politician. Maybe I'll just clearly tell you: Whatever I do is not art. Let's say it is just objects or materials, movies or writing, but not art, OK? ↗

— Ai Weiwei

#always #am #art #artist #clearly