I think my stance and my way of life is my most important art.
Ai WeiweiRead
The American experience influenced my understanding of individuality, basic human rights, freedom of expression and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
Interpretation
The American experience shaped Ai Weiwei's views on individual rights and freedoms.
This quote reflects how the social and political landscapes of America have significantly impacted Ai Weiwei's beliefs regarding personal identity and civic responsibilities. By observing the way American society values individuality and freedom of expression, he has developed a deeper understanding of the importance of these concepts in advocating for human rights and the duties that come with citizenship.
In practice
In a speech about the importance of freedom during a civil rights rally.
I think my stance and my way of life is my most important art.
Self-censorship is insulting to the self. Timidity is a hopeless way forward.
If there is no free speech, every single life has lived in vain
Art is always about overcoming obstacles between the inner condition and the skill for expression.
As a human being, member of society, you must clearly state your mind. It's a responsibility. It is the way you identify yourself otherwise you don't know who you are and why you are here.
I am very much interested in the so-called useless object. I mean, it takes perfect craftsmanship, beautiful material carefully measured and crafted, but at the same time itβs really useless.
Haie! Haie! These were the swift to harry; These the keen-scented; These were the souls of blood. Slow on the leash, pallid the leash-men!
Where there is no style, there is no slave. Martial Arts mean honestly expressing yourself. No style. No slave.
Once conform, once do what other people do because they do it, and a lethargy steals over all the finer nerves and faculties of the soul. She becomes all outer show and inward emptiness; dull, callous, and indifferent.
Have you no hope at all? And do you really live with the thought that when you die, you die, and nothing remains?" "Yes," I said.
Ever since then I have known that if all the values in this world are more or less questionable, the most important thing in life is kindness.
Ah, woe is me! Winter is come and gone. But grief returns with the revolving year.
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