This collection of quotes demonstrates the elegant simplicity of Ai Weiwei’s thoughts on key aspects of his art, politics, and life. A master at communicating powerful ideas in astonishingly few words, Ai Weiwei is known for his innovative use of social media to disseminate his views. The short quotations presented here have been carefully selected from articles, tweets, and interviews given by this acclaimed Chinese artist and activist. The book is organized into six categories: freedom of expression; art and activism; government, power, and moral choices; the digital world; history, the historical moment, and the future; and personal reflections.
Together, these quotes span some of the most revealing moments of Ai Weiwei’s eventful career—from his risky investigation into student deaths in the 2008 Sichuan earthquake to his arbitrary arrest in 2011—providing a window into the mind of one of the world’s most electrifying and courageous contemporary artists.
Select Quotes from the Book:
On Freedom of Expression
- “Say what you need to say plainly, and then take responsibility for it.”
- “A small act is worth a million thoughts.”
- “Liberty is about our rights to question everything.”
On Art and Activism
- “Everything is art. Everything is politics.”
- “The art always wins. Anything can happen to me, but the art will stay.”
- “Life is art. Art is life. I never separate it. I don’t feel that much anger. I equally have a lot of joy.”
On Government, Power, and Making Moral Choice
- “Once you’ve tasted freedom, it stays in your heart and no one can take it. Then, you can be more powerful than a whole country.”
- “I feel powerless all the time, but I regain my energy by making a very small difference that won’t cost me much.”
- “Tips on surviving the regime: Respect yourself and speak for others. Do one small thing every day to prove the existence of justice.”
On the Digital World
- “Only with the Internet can a peasant I have never met hear my voice and I can learn what’s on his mind. A fairy tale has come true.”
- “The Internet is uncontrollable. And if the Internet is uncontrollable, freedom will win. It’s as simple as that.”
- “The Internet is the best thing that could have happened to China.”
On History, the Historical Moment, and the Future
- “If a nation cannot face its past, it has no future.”
- “We need to get out of the old language.”
- “The world is a sphere, there is no East or West.”
Personal Reflection
- “I’ve never planned any part of my career—except being an artist. And I was pushed into that corner because I thought being an artist was the only way to have a little freedom.”
- “Anyone fighting for freedom does not want to totally lose their freedom.”
- “Expressing oneself is like a drug. I’m so addicted to it.”
Awards and Recognition
- One of Huffington Post's Best Art Books for 2012, List of the 50 Greatest Creative Publications
- One of Big Think's Best Art Books of 2012
- One of The Village Voice's Favorite Books for 2012
"Warsh has collected statements from Weiwei on topics ranging from technology to Twitter, freedom of speech to the power of action, and creativity to morality. Although loosely divided into chapters, the book and its brief but powerful quotations all reference back to humanity and the rights of all its members. Unfailingly pithy and refreshingly modest, the book reads quickly and conversationally. Inspirational through its simplicity and generating feelings of complicity, Weiwei succeeds in creating obsessed readers and his desire for obsessed citizens, in China and the world at large, cannot be far behind."—Publishers Weekly
"[H]ere is a man who understands how to get messages to people. His expertise in artful dissemination is the 21st-century equivalent of Andy Warhol's brilliant populism. . . . [E]pigrammatic, pungent, uncompromising."—Peter Aspden, Financial Times
"Physically Weiwei-isms is a black, small hardbound book, fitting nicely into a jacket pocket and meant to be carried around, perused at chance moments and ruminated on. It knowingly bears a resemblance to the little red books that were given out by Chairman Mao in order to popularize his philosophies to his subjects. Yet, brainwashing is not the dastardly attempt of the author this time; it is more akin to brain-widening. Take a look for yourself. I feel safe in saying that some statement, one of his turns of phrase, will hit you like a punch in the gut, likely leaving an emotional bruise that will take great time and thought to recover from."—Luke Goldstein, Blogcritics
"If it's even possible to put a whole person into your pocket, Weiwei-isms comes close. . . . Unlike The Little Red Book, carrying Weiwei-isms isn't compulsory, but you'll find yourself compelled to read it again and again and fit it into your head and heart, if not your pocket."—Bob Duggan, Big Think
"For those who have been moved by his struggles with the Chinese authorities, who admire his art or dance along to his irreverent interpretation of Psy's 'Gangnam Style', taken up by artists and museums across the world on YouTube, Ai Weiwei's little book of sayings is for you."—Sarah Greenberg, Editor of, RA Magazine
"This little book collects Ai's aphorisms, or 'Weiwei-isms,' distilled thoughts culled from Ai's writings, interviews, and Twitter posts on freedom of expression, human rights, art and activism, power and the government, and moral choices. . . . As brilliant and serious as Ai is, he is also companionable and uplifting."—Booklist
"Although this book, a collection of quotes from Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, is only four by five inches in dimension, it contains powerful and dangerous ideas. Powerful for general readers: 'Creativity is part of human nature. It can only be untaught.' And dangerous to China's leaders: 'The people who control culture in China have no culture.' Chinese authorities have beaten and jailed Ai, destroyed his studio, and threatened his loved ones because he won't stop denouncing government oppression. Buy this book to keep his brave words alive, since, as he points out, 'The government computer has one button: delete.'"—R.C. Baker, Village Voice
"PERFECT FOR: Dissidents-in-training, Ai fans and anyone with a Twitter handle."—Huffington Post
"His quotations, collected from his own writings, interviews and Tweets, offer musings on art, politics and Chinese life. They also show us the man himself: uncompromising, upfront, amusing, and charismatic, with an often wicked sense of humour."—Clarissa Sebag-Montefiore, The Independent
"The little black book of Weiwei-isms packs a serious, pensive punch."—Karen Day, Cool Hunting
"Don't let the size fool you. Ai Weiwei's 'little black book' will leave a lasting impression."—Sylvia Tsai, ArtAsiaPacific
"This wonderful little book of memorable quotes from the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei—culled from his numerous videos and posts on his blog and Twitter—encourages us to accept the challenges of life and to use our time on this earth to stand up for human rights and a better life for all."—John May, Generalist
"Weiwei-isms is not another trite collection of quotes gathered for the casual reader. From a man who admonishes 'Say what you need to say plainly, and then take responsibility for it' comes this short, frank, and thoughtful collection that does just that."—Michael Abatemarco, Pasatiempo, New Mexican
"Ai Weiwei is unquestionably one of the most important artists of our time. His practice encompasses the production of objects, the circulation of information, and politics in a manner that is absolutely unique. This worthy compilation of short quotations will introduce a broad audience to his thought and activism, and makes clear the scope and span of this truly global artist."—David Joselit, author of After Art
"First, there was Confucius. Then, the sayings of Chairman Mao. And now the pithy, ironic, and humorous insights of Ai Weiwei. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this collection, which reflects a well-developed philosophy as well as a keen understanding of the Chinese Communist system. This is China made easy and interesting."—Jerome A. Cohen, New York University
