What regret does Ai Weiwei say he wants to prevent for his son?

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Ai Weiwei Aims to Prevent His Son From Experiencing Regret Over an Unbridgeable Gap in Understanding His Father

Ai Weiwei has stated that his time in prison led him to realize the profound lack of understanding he had for his own father, a regret he is determined to prevent his son from sharing. He resolved to document his knowledge of his father and convey the importance of freedom and the reasons behind autocracy's fear of art, aiming to ensure his son possesses a deeper connection and comprehension.
Realization During Imprisonment

During his 81 days of detention, Ai Weiwei reflected extensively on his father, the exiled poet Ai Qing. This period of confinement prompted a stark realization of how incomplete his own understanding of his father had been, leading to significant personal regret over the unbridgeable distance that had existed between them.
Resolution to Share His Father's Story

Motivated by the desire to spare his son from a similar sense of regret, Ai Weiwei committed to writing down his recollections and knowledge of his father upon his release. This endeavor is intended to provide his son with an honest portrayal of his father, the nature of life, the immense value of freedom, and the inherent fear autocracy holds towards artistic expression.
A Legacy Across Generations

The forthcoming autobiography, 1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows, is set to explore Ai Weiwei's life experiences and his relationship with his father, Ai Qing. This narrative aims to bridge generational understanding and shed light on how historical events, particularly Ai Qing's exile and Ai Weiwei's own experiences, have shaped their lives and artistic pursuits. Ai Weiwei's son, Ai Lao, even designed the cover for a related edition of Ai Qing’s poems, further symbolizing this intergenerational connection.

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What regret does Ai Weiwei say he wants to prevent for his son?

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