I think my stance and my way of life is my most important art.
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 it’s really useless.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the beauty and significance of craftsmanship in art, even when the objects produced may lack practical utility.
Ai Weiwei's quote reflects a profound appreciation for the aesthetic qualities and the creative process involved in art, even when the resulting objects are deemed 'useless.' It suggests that the value of art lies not solely in its functionality, but in the beauty, effort, and intention behind its creation. This perspective invites us to rethink the purpose of art and appreciate its intrinsic qualities, encouraging a deeper engagement with creative expressions that challenge conventional notions of usefulness.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In an art exhibition focused on abstract sculptures, this quote could be used to introduce a piece that challenges viewers' perceptions of utility.
More from Ai Weiwei
All quotes →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.
The American experience influenced my understanding of individuality, basic human rights, freedom of expression and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
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I want paint to work as flesh.
If you love writing or making music or blogging or any sort of performing art, then do it. Do it with everything you've got. Just don't plan on using it as a shortcut to making a living.
Yes sir. You can be more careless, you can put more trash in [a novel] and be excused for it. In a short story that's next to the poem, almost every word has got to be almost exactly right. In the novel you can be careless but in the short story you can't. I mean by that the good short stories like Chekhov wrote. That's why I rate that second - it's because it demands a nearer absolute exactitude. You have less room to be slovenly and careless. There's less room in it for trash.
By being willing to be a bad artist, you have a chance to be an artist, and perhaps, over time, a very good one.
The landscape thinks itself in me and I am its consciousness.
All you can do is show people...You tell stories that are true and compelling.