Weiwei-isms

Ai Weiwei is one of China's most influential and inspiring figures. Artist, architect, curator, and activist, he has been an outspoken critic of the Chinese government's stance on human rights and democracy. His work has been exhibited at the Venice Biennale, the Guangzhou Triennial, Tate Modern, the Smithsonian, and other venues throughout the world. Larry Warsh has been active in the art world for more than thirty years. He has collaborated with Ai Weiwei on several projects, including the public art installation Circle of Animals / Zodiac Heads (2010). Warsh is a former member of the Contemporary Arts Council of the Asia Society and the Contemporary Arts Committee of the China Institute. He has also served on the boards of the Museum of Contemporary Art, China; the Alliance for the Arts; and the Getty Museum Photographs Council. He is currently on the board of Muse Film and Television and is a member of the Basquiat Authentication Committee.

One of The Village Voice's Favorite Books for 2012 One of Big Think's Best Art Books of 2012 One of Huffington Post's Best Art Books for 2012, List of the 50 Greatest Creative Publications "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 (starred review) "[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

• Introduction vii On Freedom of Expression 1 On Art and Activism 23 On Government, Power, and Making Moral Choices 39 On the Digital World 69 On History, the Historical Moment,and the Future 77 Personal Reflections 91 Sources 103 Chronology 117 Acknowledgments 127