This project aims to republish the Chinese book Unnamed Photos by artist Yongquan Jin and create a visual dialogue that bridges the 20th and 21st centuries. The original book documents the daily lives of ordinary Chinese people in the 20th century, presented in a printed format that captures the social memory and emotional expressions of that era. The republished version will use 21st-century digital media, incorporating contemporary photos to reinterpret these historical images.

By selecting modern-day photos that resonate with the historical images in Unnamed Photos, this project explores how expressions of emotions, identity, and everyday life have evolved across two vastly different periods. The contrast between the formality and solemnity of past photos and the casual, public nature of today’s images highlights the shifting societal contexts that shape visual culture. Additionally, the project examines the impact of media transformation—from printed books in the 20th century to digital formats in the 21st century—on how images are preserved, circulated, and interpreted.

The visual presentation of this project follows the original book’s layout and narrative style to maintain a consistent form between historical and contemporary images, strengthening the dialogue between the two eras. The decision to release the project in an electronic format reflects modern reading habits and symbolises the digital era’s influence on how we understand visual memory.

This project invites viewers to reflect through juxtaposing historical and modern images: Are photographs merely snapshots of moments, or do they carry more profound cultural and emotional memories? How have past ways of living influenced how we capture and express our identities today? By creating a connection between historical memories and contemporary life, this project aims to evoke new insights into how society’s evolving contexts shape how we see, feel, and remember.