China Quote by Ai Weiwei
![“Somehow, we [ Tan Dun and director Chen Kaige] were all privileged at the time; we could be outside of China. But at the moment, we had no sense of what the future was going to be like.” quote by Ai Weiwei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2d2/ai-weiwei-824_china_somehow-we-tan-dun-and-director-chen-kai_2289875.jpg)
“Somehow, we [ Tan Dun and director Chen Kaige] were all privileged at the time; we could be outside of China. But at the moment, we had no sense of what the future was going to be like.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Documentary on contemporary Chinese art
The artists felt privileged to work abroad, yet they lacked any clear vision of China’s future at that time.
In simple terms: Artists abroad felt privileged but uncertain about China’s future.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge uncertainty in exile.
Themes
art
exile
future
Mood
contemplative
hopeful
Type
artistic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- international exhibitions
- political uncertainty
- creative planning
Key Concepts
cultural displacement
visionary thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How does distance affect artistic vision?
- What responsibilities do artists have toward their homeland?
A Different Perspective
Exile can also inspire new perspectives.
![“I curated this show [Shanghai Biennale ], I was by no means trying to shock people or be controversial.” quote by Ai Weiwei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/886/ai-weiwei-824_artist_i-curated-this-show-shanghai-biennale-i_66816.jpg)
![“[The Dalai Lama] told me some years ago, "I've made every concession to China, and I've been as open and tolerant as I could, and still things get worse in Tibet." If you look at it from one point of view, as he himself says, his monastic position of forbearance and nonviolence hasn't reaped any…” quote by Pico Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9fe/pico-iyer-1252_benefits_the-dalai-lama-told-me-some-years-ago-i_678.jpg)
