Questionnaire

Do you believe in the existence of the soul? I believe in the existence of some kind of astral wildlife. I do not believe in the soul though.

With his current show at the Royal Academy (until 13 December), Ai Weiwei’s answers to the frieze ‘Questionnaire’, from Issue 134, October 2010

What could you imagine doing if you didn’t do what you do? Being in a boy band

What do you like the look of? Waves breaking: little ones and big ones

What should change? The notion of beauty

What do you wish you knew? Why I like photography

What do you like the look of? Raw cosmetics

What is art for? It’s a constant reminder of the elusiveness of beauty

Q: What should change? A: Can we banish greed?

What is art for? For art is what

What do you like the look of? The sheep in the meadow

Sophie Calle tells frieze her dream job: secret agent

If you could live with only one piece of art what would it be? This is an impossible question

What is your favourite title of an art work? I can’t think of a good one

Franz Ackermann is an artist living and working in Berlin and Karlsruhe in Germany. He is currently participating in the Tate Triennial in London and will have a solo show at Kunstmuseum Bonn in December 2009.

Q. What do you wish you knew? A. How to spell would be useful

What do you like the look of? My son’s beauty sleep

The artist lives and works in Istanbul and Berlin

What could you imagine doing if you didn’t do what you do? I would be a biologist, a kindergarten teacher or a policewoman

The artist will be exhibiting new work at Stuart Shave/Modern Art, London, in the spring of 2009