Windows & Doorways
by Zach Clark
Windows & Doorways marks ten years of publishing as National Monument Press. At first glance a photo publication, featuring over 60 images of photographs from across Europe, Egypt, and the US, Windows & Doorways is also a reflection on the last ten years of an artist publishing practice and how the motivations behind the work I publish has changed over time. National Monument Press was originally started with the mission of publishing "uniquely American stories", but over time, thats become less reliable of a label. I’ve become less interested in a prescriptive mission for my publishing in pursuit of work that attempts to make the uncomfortable more approachable. My interest these days is driven by considering how to craft a doorway and making anyone willing to enter it feel welcome.
Along with the 60 images, riso printed using 14 colors, is an essay reflecting on my thoughts at this moment, many of which came to clarity while traveling through France in June of 2026 to see several Marc Chagall stained glass windows. The complete essay and an accompanying playlist can be found here on my substack, and of course in the book.
Windows & Doorways can be purchased on my webstore.
Windows & Doorways was printed in July 2026 at Chute Studio in Oakland, CA, using a Risograph MZ1090 and SF9450. Sky Blue, Flo Pink, Sunflower, Midnight, Light Lime, Brick, Moss, Flat Gold, Federal Blue, Scarlet, Violent, Turquoise, Bisque and Maroon inks were printed on to Kelly Spicers and French papers. Finally, the book was bound using a Singer Series 7-11 sewing machine, and exists in an edition of 275.
The photos within this publication were taken on 35mm and 120mm color film with various cameras including a Canonete QL17, a Pentax 17, a 120mm Holga, and a 35MM Holga. Images were taken in Egypt, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, and the United States, from 2024-2026.
