An encounter with Ai Wei Wei

I often comment in a half-joking fashion that Andrea and I do similar things but with different groups: I work with large companies which may be somewhat bland and uninspiring while she works with small amazing non-profits/social enterprises and inspiring individuals. Fortunately I get to tap into her world, going to many of her events, meeting some of the great people she meets and being inspired.

China certainly has its issues--and a lot of people in China may not care or may be making things worse, as with many Western countries, but it also has incredible individuals who are trying to improve things, who are making sacrifices, and who are going against the grain (in a country that really really does not encourage you to go against anything). Many are now well-known in the west because they win Nobel peace prizes, or get locked up, escape to the US or whatever. Some of them do have some impact. Others keep their head down and stay the right side of the line, and don't get noticed (intentionally) but also do great work. And this line is interesting. In China the line is always moving. What can you do that is ok and what can you do that is not ok? What will just mean the police "inviting you to tea" to find out more and be reassured about your motives vs what will lead you to being under house arrest without any legal conviction or actually detained?

I'm always intrigued as to this line, how it moves, where it moves, and most importantly how to stay on the right side of it - not for personal reasons, since I am a long way on the safe side of the line, doing pretty boring stuff (from the government's perspective) - but because it is a really interesting side of China. In most cases when I have spoken to people that are still on the right side of the line, they talk about how they try to push up to the line and try to push the line, but they never across it. They talk to the government where possible to understand where the line is and where it is going (things can move unexpectedly here) and to explain that they sit firmly on the safe side of the line. For many groups and individuals, particularly those fighting for the rights of certain minorities, like prostitutes, gays, HIV+ persons, disabled or others, they really struggle with this. They desperately want to push that line, but they need to be careful. Sometimes they succeed, but sometimes they do not.

There are a few exceptions to these two groups of people that I mentioned earlier (the ones who are across the line and in prison, and the ones who operate under the radar and still behind the line) which is a few people who are right on the line and are vocal about it. Ai Wei Wei is one of these people. He's managed to get himself well-known for boring issues (architecture, art etc) and then used his fame to create a platform for talking about more controversial issues. He's so well-known that the government struggles to keep him quiet without making things worse (when they did put him away for 81 days or so for tax evasion, it just got him more attention), so they don't quite know what to do with him. He continues to walk the line carefully, using the media as a cover to some extent, whilst also cleverly using it to push his agenda. And I'm not an expert on him, so this is just my perceptions and may not be entirely true.

But today i did get to meet him. We went to the German School here which had a summer festival with BBQs, music and games, and he was there. We think because some German friends had invited him along, but he was recognized (he is pretty distinctive) and spent all the time there (that we saw him) which was at least 45 minutes (then we left to go somewhere else) taking photos. Now it was a very orderly and low key. A few people would hang around nearby waiting for their turn, there were laughs, there were kids, there was beer. I could barely imagine if there were Chinese around it might be quite another story (there weren't - the event is really only for Germans and others related to the School). Anyway, before we left I went up to him for a chat (no photo - i'm not sure he really enjoyed spending all his leisure time taking photos, but i did hope he might be interested in some interesting conversation - and besides i can't get anything out of a photo but i hoped for some insights from our conversation.

What did we discuss in the 3 minute conversation? I asked about the line. He reinforced my suspicions (see above) and we talked about his conversations with the government (to find out where the line is, so he can explain his opinion and be honest about his intentions). I asked about his recent music video where he recreated his prison cell and heavily criticized the Chinese government and the government reaction (he said the government were too embarrassed to do anything about it beyond blocking it here, but they did compliment him on how accurate his depiction of the cell was). I also asked about the story of thousands of people donating money to him online and by throwing money into his courtyard to help pay a deposit that was necessary to fight his tax evasion case (he said there were 30,000 people who gave him money, he had written thank yous, and he did try to return it as he promised he would, but that some people did not want it back, and others did not give their names or addresses with it).

My parting words - keep doing what you're doing, keep staying the right side of the line, and good luck! I'm sure he's heard that before.