I dont believe in the so-called Olympic spirit. I speak from personal experience. When China hosted the Games, it failed to include the people. The event was constructed without regard for their joy. – Ai Weiwei
The Birds Nest National Stadium, which I helped to conceive, is designed to embody the Olympic spirit of fair competition. It tells people that freedom is possible but needs fairness, courage and strength. – Ai Weiwei
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 dont think they believe that. Its just an argument thats made when you cant confront the truth and facts. They really want to maintain power. – Ai Weiwei
To work in architecture you are so much involved with society, with politics, with bureaucrats. Its a very complicated process to do large projects. You start to see the society, how it functions, how it works. Then you have a lot of criticism about how it works. – Ai Weiwei