Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry Page #3

like Narcel Duchamp,

Joseph Beuys, and Andy Warhol.

The show's Chinese name

was "Uncooperative Attitude".

Its English name was "F*** OFF".

To do something like that back then required a lot of

courage.

Because in China at that time,

a lot of things were illegal.

"F*** OFF" had a lot of experimental art.

The atmosphere was very good.

A lot of positivity and creativity.

There were also performance art pieces.

Like Yang Zhichao

planting grass in his shoulders.

When he made

the Black and White Cover Books,

and put together the "F*** OFF" show,

he was mainly concerned

with issues facing the art world.

But now, China's developing so quickly,

and there are too many problems.

So he is getting involved

in China's broader social issues.

Yanping,

how many names do we have now?

Pick a name to read and record it.

You can use your mobile phone

or a computer to record it.

Then email it to us.

It's only been one week?

That's right, less than one week.

Last Friday night Teacher Ai

put the request on Twitter.

We are always trying to think of a way...

to get everyone involved.

The earthquake anniversary is coming up,

so I think that this method is very good.

It helps everyone to learn about...

using resources, making recordings,

and sending messages online.

Have you seen

the list of names in his office?

Three years of blood and sweat

have turned into

a few pieces of paper on the wall,

covered in tiny names.

I think Ai Weiwei's doing work

that the government should be doing.

This is our country, our government.

What are they doing?

Are they busy divvying up their money?

Daddy's here! Let's go, Daddy's here!

Nummy will carry you.

We have two guests here today.

Grandpa's cousin's daughter.

She worships you.

I don't need people to worship me.

They've been waiting to see you.

It's like they're waiting to see a master.

I don't want to see them.

I refuse to see them.

Beans.

He's so good when you hold him.

Ai Lao is happy

when his dad takes him out.

Weiwei is very good to Ai Lao,

he's happy when Ai Lao is happy.

Take a look. Nice, eh?

Who is this? He looks like the devil.

Weiwei, you look terrifying here.

You're like a mafia boss.

Dandan, I told you not to buy ice cream bars. Why don't you

listen to me?

It's not like we have them every day.

We only live once, eh?

You eat ice cream

every time you come here.

These little ice cream bars are so good.

I got mung bean flavoured ones.

He's so good with you.

He's giving me melon to eat.

Give Dad another piece.

Give Dad a piece.

- All gone.

- He's not fussy at all.

- All gone!

- Don't give him any more.

No more for you.

It's all gone.

Do you think you're an optimist

or a pessimist?

Your actions often feel optimistic,

but when you speak out about China

you seem like a pessimist.

Pessimist? Really?

I think I'm actually an eternal optimist.

I think optimism is whether

you are still exhilarated by life,

whether you are curious,

whether you still believe

there are possibilities.

From this perspective,

I am very much an optimist.

I'll take a look.

This is in response to our inquiry

about the Chengdu beating, right?

"After an exhaustive re-investigation,

"we stand by the original findings

of the Chengdu Police."

This has to be posted online.

If it's not publicised,

it's like it never happened, isn't it?

- Save a copy for our records.

- OK.

This is the report we prepared on his case.

It includes the photos he took that night.

We've prepared fifteen copies.

Weiwei has a very strong personality.

The more you push him,

the more he'll resist.

It's not allowed here.

No, listen, you tell me where it is allowed.

Leave the courthouse! OK?

This isn't the kind of thing

that gets fast results.

It's not like things will change

after a news report comes out.

Of course,

some people have to pay a tragic price.

Like Liu Xiaobo. He's in prison.

They accepted our materials.

No photography here!

Thanks.

He thinks they won't see us today.

It can be done.

We must follow standard procedure.

Please turn that off.

Don't touch me.

If you touch me, you'll be in trouble.

- If you touch me, you'll be in trouble!

- What you're doing is illegal!

- I'm acting illegally? You're acting illegally.

- You detained me before, was that legal?

You illegally detained me.

- You're abusing the law.

- No, you're abusing the law!

I recognise you. It's you.

I recognise you!

The police are hitting people!

You should be tweeting.

Be clear about what happened today.

Write more than one line.

If you tweet continuously,

people will understand what's happening.

I took his glasses off

so I could take a photo of his face!

Do you have that tape?

When I took his glasses off?

- How much can they do in a day?

- It's about two rows per day.

When we got here,

they'd already done about half.

So it will be done

in another day and a half.

It's on now.

It's not just a nomination -

he won, didn't he?

Congratulations, Liu Xiaobo!

The honour belongs

to all who love freedom!

You see,

everyone is retweeting what I just posted.

He's smelling them.

For Nr Liu Xiaobo,

and many others who are jailed like him,

or have gone missing,

or have been hurt,

or have no outlet to speak out...

this is a great reward.

- It's nice.

- Good?

I think what he's doing is art,

but other people -

like the Chinese government - don't get it.

He really is making art.

He really has to protect himself,

because he is just so precious.

I know very well that here,

in the end, they will crush you.

Then he would be gone,

and that would be a great loss.

What are your plans?

Are there restrictions on your freedom?

Can you say a few words?

I'm very happy to see my son.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes