Ai Weiwei on CNN with Christiane Amanpour
An interview analysis by L.A. Roka, Part II.
Ai Weiwei interviewed by Christiane Amanpour on CNN, Part II,
featuring Pat Mitchell, President, The Paley Center for Media—
and a clip of Jack Dorsey, Co-founder and Chairman of Twitter.
L.A. Roka: Here, Christiane Amanpour’s nonverbal cues are crucial to how she easily facilitates the interview especially as she asks Ai Weiwei to discuss why he decided to boycott the Beijing Olympics even after he participated in the architectural design of the Bird’s Nest Olympic Stadium. In another interview setting, Ai might appear defensive or even challenged to explain any potential hypocrisy in his decision. However, Ai feels perfectly relaxed in Amanpour’s setting, especially as she nods affirmatively, leans slightly forward, and has her eyeglasses off to the side. The eye contact ensures that this natural interview dance will continue. Likewise, Ai comfortably explains why he pursued revealing the names of those killed in the Sichuan earthquake.In the brief exchange about the dangers of his artistic dissent and activism, Ai Weiwei’s response reinforces the rapport he has with this well-known Western journalist. He talks about the objective of uncovering the truth and challenging inaccurate information, speaking directly to the journalist’s most fundamentally significant role. It is a tacit understanding that journalists and artists share the risks of physical harm, imprisonment or even death in this journey of discovering the truth.
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