People are always wondering if I am an artist or political activist or politician. Maybe Ill just clearly tell you: Whatever I do is not art. Lets say it is just objects or materials, movies or writing, but not art, OK? – Ai Weiwei
Everyone wants an iPhone, but it would be impossible to design an iPhone in China because its not a product its an understanding of human nature. – Ai Weiwei
When you have strict censorship of the internet, young students cannot receive a full education. Their view of the world is imbalanced. There can be no true discussion of the issues. – 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
Let us not forget that the European Community started as a project for peace after the terrible Second World War. And today people take for granted the freedom to travel, to study, to work abroad. And the citizens of one country have almost exactly the same rights as another country. – Jose Manuel Barroso