Cai Dongdong's unique photographic sculpture work titled “A Hundred Years” allows the viewer to visually traverse through the various phases of China’s turbulent twentieth century history, witnessing the transformation of everyday life and individual identities. Drawing from the artist’s personal archive of thousands of vintage photographs, Cai Dongdong carefully selects and arranges the subjects to reveal subtle shifts in fashion, expressions, and social cues, reflecting the broader cultural and political changes. By combining these anonymous faces into a single installation, the artist creates a powerful narrative that captures the resilience, struggles, and aspirations of the Chinese people over decades.

The installation serves not only as a documentation of historical shifts but also as a meditation on memory and identity. It encourages viewers to reflect on the impact of these transformations on the lives of ordinary people, inviting questions about how history is lived and remembered. The piece challenges the audience to consider the significance of individual stories within the collective experience, making the personal political and the anonymous unforgettable.