Gay and proud
Books to celebrate Pride
Pride is a word we value very much at MENDO. It’s one of our eleven commandments, and it is a word that stands for much more than just what we do. In honor of Amsterdam Pride week, we wanted to shine our light on what exactly this is for us.
As we have a diverse team, with different cultural backgrounds, and different sexualities, we value and respect freedom of identity. Despite the fact that we live in a privileged city, it sadly is still not possible for everyone to completely be themselves without being disrespected. It only exclamates the importance of an event such as Pride.
To celebrate Pride, in all shapes and forms, but in this particular case the pride of gay men, we’ve selected a few titles that highlight the (gay) man in all his glory (but be sure to check out our storefront for some female representation)
Ren Hang
The master of shock created an even bigger shock when he ended his own life in 2017. As a homosexual man in the repressive regime of China, Hang struggled with finding a voice in his home country. Internationally, he gained popularity through Instagram resulting in a solo-exhibition at Foam and this monograph book, published by Taschen.
Shop now: € 40
' We were in the early days of a revolution that seemed inevitably headed to a more loving, playful and tolerant way of being. ’
' We were in the early days of a revolution that seemed inevitably headed to a more loving, playful and tolerant way of being. ’
Tom Bianchi 63 E 9th Street
Collecting cheeky polaroids from his Lower East Side apartment in Manhattan, Tom Bianchi’s 63 E 9th Street is a behind-the-screens look in the life of the New York gay scene in the seventies and eighties. “Back then we were in the early days of a revolution that seemed inevitably headed to a more loving, playful and tolerant way of being. We were innocents”, Bianchi recalls.
Shop now: € 50
A definitive ode to the black male body
Robert Mapplethorpe The Black Book
Arguably one of the most famous gay subject photographers who ever lived, Robert Mapplethorpe’s book about the black male is equally iconic. First published in 1986, The Black Book presents 96 highly erotic nudes of black men in all their prowess. Either as full figures, or staged as details with fragments of their bodies, The Black Book is a definitive ode to the black male body.
Shop now: € 42.50
Mr. by Ferry van der Nat
Dutch Mr. Polaroid, Ferry van der Nat has been photographing male (and female) models for years using his two classic Polaroid cameras. Made by MENDO, this book collects the very best of his work with beautiful men from all over the world in an elegant way. With a foreword by Fantastic Man/Butt’s Gert Jonkers.
Shop now: € 62.50
Vape Shop Olympia
Belgian photographer Peter de Potter gained worldwide fame after creating the cover for Kanye West’s 2016 album The Life of Pablo. In his personal work his tone of voice is quite different. Using the male body as one of his tools, his work consists out of a mix of photography, video, poetry, slogans and graphics into an idiosyncratic visual language.
Shop now: € 60
Mr. Hudson Explores
The ultimate travel guide for gay men. Mr Hudson Explores takes you all over the world with insider tips from local (gay) subcultures. It’s the first book from the renowned blog, collecting places and events that reflect the local perspective and way of life in 20 beloved city destinations.
Shop now: € 32.50
An intimate and striking series that is unique in its kind
Pierre Debusschere: Uncovered
In a limited edition edition of 750 copies, Pierre Debusschere’s Uncovered is the result of the Belgian photographer’s personal project, in which the body is used as a pictorial and emotional material. While most of his work features fashion, Uncovered focuses on the body that is only slightly dressed or painted. Creating an intimate and striking series that is unique in its kind.
Shop now: € 47.50
Continue reading
Sunny Jansen
In light of Amsterdam Pride, we've asked mover and shaker Sunny Jansen to curate this edition of visual inspiration.
How we translated the world of Casper Reinders into a book
Made by MENDO
This book is unlike any other. And although there are more publishers saying that, we promise you, there’s absolutely nothing like this. Casper Reinders greatest interiors are collected in our…
The second-best way to experience photography
Amsterdam Exhibitions
Even though we're blessed with a great summer in 2019, Amsterdam's museums prove that it pays to spend some days inside.
A-list of Amsterdam hotspots, and many are struggling to survive
Interview
This month, MENDO and gloobles launch a rather delightful city guide, packed with hotspots, most of which you currently cannot visit. We had a chat with gloobles' founder Stephanie van…
At MENDO, we love to be inspired by everything visual. This time, we've selected 8 images that cast our collective solitude in a beautiful light.
Shelf Sessions: Emilia van Lynden
Unseen Amsterdam
In our series Shelf Sessions we climb the shelves of MENDO’s friends. In this episode: Emilia van Lynden, (ex) Artistic Director of Unseen Amsterdam.
Work in progress: the Pontsteiger book
A first glimpse at a new book project with local significance
An eye-catching new building rises along the banks of the IJ-river. MENDO is very proud to design and publish a book about it.
Picturing the Streets of Amsterdam
Meet the photographers of 'Streets of Amsterdam’
‘Streets of Amsterdam’ editor Joost Bastmeijer introduces four of the book’s contributing photographers.
A brief history about (the streets of) Amsterdam
How our home base came to be
The streets of Amsterdam are full of history, that even hardcore Amsterdammers might not know about. Let us tell you a small tale about the past of our beloved home…
A tough lesson in human compassion
Interview with Jermain Cikic
Interview with Jermain Cikic, former MENDO employee, who created a personal and evocative documentation of a homeless shelter in Amsterdam, at the height of the COVID-19 crisis.
Jack Davison: Understanding Photography
Photographer's Profile
Jack Davison spends most his time experimenting with photography, which results in a body of work that consists of captivating images. For this Photographer’s Profile, MENDO chats with Davison about…
“THE TEN” – An exclusive interview with Virgil Abloh
In light of his new book: Virgil Abloh. Nike. ICONS. MENDO's Gunifort Uwambaga had an exclusive interview with Virgil Abloh consisting of 10 questions aptly named “THE TEN”.
ZENOLOGY’s path to creating MENDO ‘Libri’
Interview with ZENOLOGY Founder Jeroen Oude Sogtoen and In-House Perfumer Fredrik Dalman
ZENOLOGY developed ‘Libri’: a unique Ambiance Trigger fragrance made together with MENDO. ZENOLOGY Founder Jeroen Oude Sogtoen and In-house Perfumer Fredrik Dalman elaborate on what it takes to create a…
MENDO and ZENOLOGY create book-inspired room perfume
'Libri' captures the soul of a book, the ink and the paper it's printed on
ZENOLOGY and MENDO joined forces to capture the soul of a book, the ink and the paper it's printed on.
Six Sportret stories worth sharing
Favorite anecdotes from SPORTRET
Sportret is not only a wonderful photographic document; it is good fun to read too. Here are some of our favorite anecdotes from Sportret.
IDEA London teams up with MENDO
MENDO is proud to be IDEA's preferred shop for EU customer for new publications. UPDATE: Nadia Lee Cohen: Women & Dave Swindells: Ibiza '89 SOLD OUT.
Meet MENDO
At MENDO we're often asked about our favorite books. This is Jermain’s most recent selection.
Winter-themed books
Brace yourselves… It’s getting colder, which means more time to crawl up with your favorite books. We’ve selected some of our favorite winter-themed titles for you. Books that will definitely…
Denisse Ariana Pérez exhibition at MENDO
Expo at MENDO
MENDO and The Homecoming Gallery present the solo show 'Encounters' by photographer Denisse Ariana Pérez at our flagship store in Amsterdam.