If my art has nothing to do with people's pain and sorrow, what is 'art' for?
My definition of art has always been the same. It is about freedom of expression, a new way of communication. It is never about exhibiting in museums or about hanging it on the wall. Art should live in the heart of the people. Ordinary people should have the same ability to understand art as anybody else. I don’t think art is elite or mysterious. I don’t think anybody can separate art from politics. The intention to separate art from politics is itself a very political intention.
The art always wins. Anything can happen to me, but the art will stay.
I think art is a very important weapon to achieve human freedom
Everything is art. Everything is politics.
I think everybody deserves freedom. Freedom is such an abstract word, but it's all we need.
I think art certainly is the vehicle for us to develop any new ideas, to be creative, to extend our imagination, to change the current conditions.
The purpose of art is the fight for freedom.
Widespread state control over art and culture has left no room for freedom of expression in the country. For more than 60 years, anyone with a dissenting opinion has been suppressed. Chinese art is merely a product: it avoids any meaningful engagement. There is no larger context. Its only purpose is to charm viewers with its ambiguity.
I think my stance and my way of life is my most important art.
China is an old nation with a colourful history. Its booming economy has triggered an appetite and a curiosity around the world for its art and culture, one that continues to grow. I can, however, tell people that it is a show with no actor.
I'm always interested in people who are not orientated in art circles to become part of it.
I think we cannot have a double standard. We cannot see our art as different from the reality. We cannot use two different sets of judgment.
Life is art. Art is life. I never separate it. I don’t feel that much anger. I equally have a lot of joy.
This so-called contemporary art is not a form, but a philosophy of society.
As a person, I was born to give out my opinions. By giving out my opinions, I realize who I am. As long as I can communicate, I'm not so lonely. If I cannot travel, or do art, or have company, if they take away all my belongings, it doesn't matter at all.
So-called Chinese art and culture is under control of the Party. They exist to serve the official agenda. I call it fake art and culture.
Of course, people will call you an old artist or young artist, which is just a character of you. But personally, I don't think my work and my understanding of art is so much related to being Chinese, but the character of that. Maybe it's beyond my own consciousness.
I'm most embarrassed at my art shows, even though I don't show it.
Beijing is constructing a 100,000 m2 modern art museum, yet it will not feature any of my work.
I'm doing quite a few things now. In one day, I will go to Kassel, Germany, for a documentary project I've been preparing for half a year. I will bring 1,001 Chinese to participate as my artwork there - any Chinese who is a Chinese passport holder and over eighteen years old could apply through my blog. I'm just bringing them to Kassel to see the art show, and pay their room and board.
Art is always about overcoming obstacles between the inner condition and the skill for expression.
My definition of art has always been the same. It is about freedom of expression, a new way of communication. It is never about exhibiting in museums or about hanging it on the wall.
All the rich people collect traditional Chinese art. So it's very natural for Chinese families to still see art as the highest human performance and send their children to this field.
I have people working together, doing different things: architecture, art installation, photography, publishing, and curatorial works and design.
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