I think my stance and my way of life is my most important art.
Ai WeiweiRead
To survive, China had to open up to the West. It could not survive otherwise. This was after many millions have died of hunger in a country that was like North Korea is today. Once we became part of global competition, we had to agree to some rules. It's painful, but we had to. Otherwise there was no way to survive.
Interpretation
What this quote means
China's survival depended on embracing global competition and changing its approach despite the hardships faced.
This quote by Ai Weiwei emphasizes the necessity of adapting to external pressures for survival, particularly in the context of China's transformation in engaging with the West. It reflects on the painful sacrifices and changes that were required to move from isolation to becoming part of the global economy, illustrating how significant external shifts can influence a nation's fate.
Themes
SurvivalChangeGlobalizationCompetitionSacrifice
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about economic reform, one might cite this quote to illustrate the importance of adapting to global market demands.
More from Ai Weiwei
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Art is always about overcoming obstacles between the inner condition and the skill for expression.
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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.
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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.
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