Salon #68 — Mike Mandel and Chantal Zakari

9 October 2023: Russet Lederman and Jeff Gutterman hosted a 10×10 Photobooks salon with Mike Mandel and Chantal Zakari. Mike discussed Zone Eleven (Damiani Editore, 2021) and his collaborative book (with Larry Sultan) Evidence (Clatworthy Colorvues, 1977). Chantal presented her most recent publication Pictures from the Outside (Eighteen Publications, 2023).

 Larry Sultan & Mike Mandel, Evidence (Clatworthy Colorvues, 1977); Mike Mandel, Zone Eleven (Damiani Editore, 2021); Chantal ZakariPictures from the Outside (Eighteen Publications, 2023)

Mike Mandel grew up in the LA in the 1950s amid a landscape of billboards, strip malls, and freeways. His work often addresses the meaning of photographic imagery within popular culture and draws from snapshots, advertising, news photographs, and archives. Much of this work has been translated into book form, that include seventeen photo-based books since the early 70s, some in collaboration with Larry Sultan and others in collaboration with his wife, Chantal Zakari.

Larry Sultan & Mike Mandel, Evidence (Clatworthy Colorvues, 1977).
Larry Sultan & Mike Mandel, Evidence (Clatworthy Colorvues, 1977).

Chantal Zakari is an interdisciplinary artist, designer and a faculty member at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston at Tufts University. In her work, she draws upon contemporary social issues by making connections through personal narratives, history and popular culture. Her studio practice freely combines research methodologies and artistic strategies borrowed from various disciplines such as photography, documentary, performance, storytelling, installation, graphic design and social interventions. 

Chantal Zakari, Pictures from the Outside (Eighteen Publications, 2023).
Chantal Zakari, Pictures from the Outside (Eighteen Publications, 2023).

A big thank you to Russet and Jeff for hosting this salon.
All salon photos by Jeff Gutterman.