Ai Weiwei, Chinese Dissident Artist, Speaks To 'Dan Rather Reports' Just Before Disappearance (VIDEO)

Footage of what has now become the last U.S. television interview with world-renowned Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei before his widely-criticized disappearance now seems eerily prophetic.

Producers and crew from Dan Rather Reports spoke at length with the controversial artist that some have called "China's Andy Warhol" at his Beijing studio. Though the primary subject of the interview was Internet censorship, much of Weiwei's anecdotes seem to hint at his then-forthcoming arrest and alleged government detention.

Of China's recent dissident crackdown, Weiwei says, "This is terrifying. These people are writers, artists and Internet users, and they have been taken away." He went on to note that he was heavily concerned about his own safety: "I have to always to ask myself, 'How long can I last?' if I'm in extreme conditions such as jail."

Watch footage of Weiwei's interview here:

Comments

[nmaddog7]

04:38 PM on 05/19/2011

Hey Americans, what about Bradley Manning? Ai Weiwei receives much better treatment than Manning,who is forced to be naked in solitary confinement and refused trial by the US pigs. Ai Weiwei is a western plant, he lived for 12 years in NYC,and the Chinese government treats him far better than you Americans treat even a lesser traitor.

[ARTORICAL]

10:37 AM on 05/19/2011

I created a poster in support of Ai Weiwei: http://bit.ly/mAo0ao

[Pod-gers]

10:39 AM on 04/10/2011

Li Xinggong designed the Bird's Nest.

Ai WeiWei was expelled from a NYC design schiil for chronic absenteesim and lost his visa. Nevertheless, he remained hanging out on the streets of NYC and Alantic City as an illegal. He is involved with a NED funded "publication" out of Hong Kong, and my bet is he has undeclared income that Chins is rightfully investigating.

[ToddSBenson]

12:12 AM on 04/07/2011

Banned Digital Art, on Chinese internet.

“Ai Weiwei Freedom” 自由, 艾未未. Art, image. Ai Weiwei.

http://cainandtoddbenson.wordpress.com/2010/12/13/ai-weiwei-freedom-2/

[caroline gray]

10:49 PM on 04/06/2011

Of China's recent dissident crackdown, Weiwei says, "This is terrifying. These people are writers, artists and Internet users, and they have been taken away."
This truly saddens and scares me. My hearts are with all.

[kkkkat]

08:54 PM on 04/06/2011

Boycott goods made in China! You CAN do something.

[who38]

11:19 PM on 04/06/2011

CCCChina owns more US paper than any other country, including the US.  Just hope that country doesn't call it in.

[officiallyforeign]

02:46 AM on 04/07/2011

Um, then what would we buy?

[Moderate Independent]

06:38 PM on 04/06/2011

He's a big dude. When I first glanced at his photo, I thought he was a Samoan NFL Defensive Tackle!

[kmilford]

01:23 PM on 04/07/2011

Nice to see a completely irrelevant comment. Well done!

[AmericanMyths]

06:27 PM on 04/06/2011

trouble makers usually get into trouble

[BlazeKING]

10:25 AM on 04/07/2011

Repressive regimes usually get toppled

[andycash]

06:25 PM on 04/06/2011

Rachel Maddow issued a warning to some of her viewers on her Tuesday show, telling them that, just by watching her, they could wind up the target of conservative groups.

"Watching this TV show...should not be an act of bravery," she said. "The conservative movement is making sure that you know it is. You are on their list and they are coming after you. If it feels cold all of a sudden, if that gives you a shiver, it is supposed to. That's how they roll."
- Rachel Maddow
details:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/06/rachel-maddow-warning-viewers_n_845431.html

[ToddSBenson]

06:22 PM on 04/06/2011

My thoughts.

“Ai Weiwei Freedom” 自由, 艾未未. Art, image. Ai Weiwei.

http://cainandtoddbenson.wordpress.com/2010/12/13/ai-weiwei-freedom-2/

[Alex Damiani]

05:45 PM on 04/06/2011

Check under the Wall!

[AkiraBergman]

04:43 PM on 04/06/2011

"You can cage the singer but not the song."

(Harry Belafonte)

[Hans Wurst]

04:26 PM on 04/06/2011

Shame on China's government.

[StansDad]

03:57 PM on 04/06/2011

Oh yeah? Well you know what makes this okay and the right thing to do?

China has lots of money and jobs
United States is evil and kills everyone

[kmilford]

01:25 PM on 04/07/2011

You are clearly out to lunch.

[BlazeKING]

03:56 PM on 04/06/2011

Beware the thought police