Question 1

When was Ai Weiwei born and when did they die?

Accepted Answer

Ai Weiwei was born in 1957 and is still alive today.

Question 2

What was Ai Weiwei known for?

Accepted Answer

Ai Weiwei was known for: Chinese dissident artist, Sunflower Seeds. Ai Weiwei is a Chinese contemporary artist, documentarian, and activist. Ai grew up in the far northwest of China, where he lived under harsh conditions due to his father's exile. As an activist, he has been openly critical of the Chinese government and its stance on democracy and human rights. He investigated government corruption and cover-ups, in particular the Sichuan schools corruption scandal following the collapse of "tofu-dreg schools" in the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. In April 2011, Ai Weiwei was arrested at Beijing Capital International Airport for "economic crimes", and detained for 81 days without charge. Ai Weiwei emerged as a figure in Chinese cultural development, an architect of Chinese modernism, and a prominent political commentator.

Question 3

Who was alive at the same time as Ai Weiwei?

Accepted Answer

Ai Weiwei's closest contemporary was James Watson, with whom they shared 69 years of overlapping lifetimes. Explore more contemporaries on Timeliner.

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