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)
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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. ’
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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
![]([{"width":300,"height":313,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/mendo-book-robert-mapplethorpe-the-black-book-cover-300x0-c-default.jpg"},{"width":500,"height":522,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/mendo-book-robert-mapplethorpe-the-black-book-cover.jpg"},{"width":700,"height":731,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/mendo-book-robert-mapplethorpe-the-black-book-cover.jpg"},{"width":900,"height":940,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/mendo-book-robert-mapplethorpe-the-black-book-cover.jpg"}])
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
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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
![]([{"width":300,"height":378,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/mendo-book-vape-shop-olympia-cover-300x0-c-default.jpg"},{"width":500,"height":630,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/mendo-book-vape-shop-olympia-cover-500x0-c-default.jpg"},{"width":700,"height":882,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/mendo-book-vape-shop-olympia-cover.jpg"},{"width":900,"height":1134,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/mendo-book-vape-shop-olympia-cover.jpg"}])
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
![]([{"width":300,"height":398,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/mendo-book-mr-hudson-explores-cover-300x0-c-default.jpg"},{"width":500,"height":664,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/mendo-book-mr-hudson-explores-cover-500x0-c-default.jpg"},{"width":700,"height":929,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/mendo-book-mr-hudson-explores-cover-700x0-c-default.jpg"},{"width":900,"height":1194,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/mendo-book-mr-hudson-explores-cover-900x0-c-default.jpg"}])
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
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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
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Annie Leibovitz, the Grand Dame of colourful, staged portraits
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