Untitled 1974

Mike Mandel's 1974 photograph "Untitled" showcases a black and white image of a beach scene from a high vantage point. The photograph is notable for its minimalist composition, focusing on the shadows of a cable car system and the figures of people on the beach below. The use of shadow creates a sense of abstraction and removes the viewer from the immediate scene. This minimalist style and focus on mundane, everyday objects is characteristic of Mandel's work within the Conceptual and New Topographics movements. The photograph is a powerful example of how perspective can dramatically alter our perception of the familiar.