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Why did Ai Weiwei move to the United States in 1981?
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Ai Weiwei
Ai Weiwei, 2019.
Ai Weiwei moved to the United States in 1981 primarily because he was eager to escape the restrictions of Chinese society.1
Following his time at the Beijing Film Academy and his involvement with the avant-garde artist collective known as the "Stars" (Xingxing), he sought greater creative and intellectual freedom. Upon settling in New York City, he attended the Parsons School of Design and became deeply involved in the city's vibrant community of artists and bohemians.1