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It became like a symbolic thing, to be “an artist.” After Duchamp, I realized that being an artist is more about a lifestyle and attitude than producing some product.
Ai Weiwei
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Being an artist is defined more by one's lifestyle and attitude than by the creation of tangible artworks.

Ai Weiwei's quote reflects the idea that the essence of being an artist transcends conventional notions of art creation. It emphasizes that the identity of an artist is rooted in one's approach to life and their perspective on the world, rather than merely the physical products they create. This perspective encourages individuals to embrace the artistic mindset in everyday living.

Themes

ArtistLifestyleAttitudeArtisticExpression

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about creativity at a university, one could emphasize Ai Weiwei's perspective on what it truly means to be an artist.

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