“The Campaign” (《会战》, 1971), by Cai Bing (蔡兵)

This socialist-style woodblock print was displayed in the Shanghai hotel where President Nixon stayed during his historic visit to China, and was later acquired for exhibition in sixteen countries.

Created in 1971, the multicolored woodcut The Campaign (《会战》) employs a cinematic panning technique and upward-angled perspective to emphasize the monumental dynamo—embodying the world’s most advanced technology—and the towering factory buildings. The work highlights both the grandeur of industrial progress and the spirited vitality of the workers, their passion vividly conveyed through scenes of collective labor.

Over the course of more than half a month, Cai Bing carved and hand-printed the multi-block plates himself. Particular attention was given to the tonal treatment of the factory backdrop, layering transitions of deep and light, cool and warm hues. These color modulations imbue the scene with dynamism and intensity, capturing the fervor of the workers in the midst of battle-like labor. It was with this vision that Cai Bing named the piece The Campaign (《会战》).