Wisdom in fragments

The most vivid character of our time has been the enslavement of society to this profiteering system.

Chinese Artist & Dissident; Prominent Human Rights Activist and Political Critic

I'm grateful to be alive during this time. I can't think of a better time than this very moment. Freedom without struggle is an illusion. I love problems. How we deal with problems defines who we are and what values we stand for.

Chinese Artist & Dissident; Prominent Human Rights Activist and Political Critic

Without the internet and globalization, Ai Weiwei, as you know him, would not possible. My art comes from those influences and the persistent struggle to understand our time.

Chinese Artist & Dissident; Prominent Human Rights Activist and Political Critic

Power is seized with the gun and maintained with the pen. Controlling public opinion through propaganda and misinformation is the most critical task of an authoritarian power.

Chinese Artist & Dissident; Prominent Human Rights Activist and Political Critic

Art is necessary for the human mind. Art is about our dreams, fears, and imagination. Art is about everything outside of the system. It is a death sentence for art when it is within the system.

Chinese Artist & Dissident; Prominent Human Rights Activist and Political Critic

The strongest characteristic of art is that it belongs to the individual. Art is an expression of individualism and the opposite of oppressive dogma.

Chinese Artist & Dissident; Prominent Human Rights Activist and Political Critic

You can't go through life in that negative frame of mind. Just go, see what happens… challenge it. It's better to go to University and have an education doing what you want, rather than what you don't.

British artist known for provocative conceptual and autobiographical works

Had I not defended it and stood by it, I think it could have disappeared into history- but because I protected it, stood up for it, believed in it and understood why it existed and what it had done? That's why it still remains.

British artist known for provocative conceptual and autobiographical works

There's a beauty in the truth which is undeniable. It's a tragedy in a way- sometimes we just need to understand what the hell we've truly lost.

British artist known for provocative conceptual and autobiographical works

True art, real art, real creativity, comes from somewhere else. It isn't about a picture or decoration- there's a divinity to it…

British artist known for provocative conceptual and autobiographical works

Most people would have a nervous breakdown if they didn't have their phone for a day; I would have a total breakdown if there was no culture, no art. I couldn't live without art, it would be impossible.

British artist known for provocative conceptual and autobiographical works

Art is a vocation for me, not a career, not a job… you wouldn't say to a nun. 'so, how did you get into God?'

British artist known for provocative conceptual and autobiographical works

Everyone can perform magic, everyone can reach his goals, if he is able to think, if he is able to wait, if he is able to fast. We all have the ability to perform magic, to endure, to push ourselves beyond our limits, if we have the patience and the resilience.

Illusionist & Street Magician Known for Endurance Stunts & Television Specials

Endurance stays with you across everything, if you do it one place, you can do it anywhere. You're able to sustain because you've already trained your brain to do that.

Illusionist & Street Magician Known for Endurance Stunts & Television Specials

We have created a society that gives us more access to comfort. We have the ability to push much further than we think is possible, but the brain wants us to rest to allow the body to recover.

Illusionist & Street Magician Known for Endurance Stunts & Television Specials

The way you eliminate fear is to approach your situation from every angle, almost as though it were a logic puzzle. I like to think of it as approaching like a tortoise, not like a hare.

Illusionist & Street Magician Known for Endurance Stunts & Television Specials