The Tutu Project

PLEASE SHARE THIS PHOTO ON TWITTER + FACEBOOK BOB CAREY'S SELF-PORTRAITS IN BALLET SKIRT ARE WEAPONS IN HIS WIFE'S BREAST CANCER BATTLE THE TUTU PROJECT DONATE TODAY WWW.THETUTUPROJECT.COM MEDIA CONTACT: WORKHOUSE CEO ADAM NELSON TELEPHONE: +1 646. 205. 3540 / EMAIL: NELSON@WORKHOUSEPR.COM PHOTO CREDIT: BOB CAREY (WWW.THETUTUPROJECT.COM) USA- This is the heartwarming story of a man and his tutu. For photographer Bob Carey and his wife Linda, a man-sized pink tutu has taken on incredible meaning in their fight against breast cancer. The Tutu Project started in 2003 when Carey donated a picture of himself wearing a custom-made ballet skirt as part of a fund raiser for the Arizona Ballet. The Brooklyn photographer, whose wife is battling a recurrence of the disease, goes out into the world wearing a giant tutu and nothing else on his hairy, un-buff bod. The project has taken him from Italy to Times Square, and he hopes to turn the wacky photos of himself into a book to benefit breast cancer patients. Every time he went on the road, Bob would pack the fluffy tutu. Hilarity ensued. Most New Yorkers who want to raise money to fight breast cancer buy a pink ribbon or sign up for a walk-a-thon. Bob Carey is not most New Yorkers. The overwhelmingly positive reaction to Carey's photos has inspired him to take the project further, making a book of the images entitled Ballerina. The net proceeds will go directly to breast cancer organizations; their goal is to raise $75,000. To support simply visit www.thetutuproject.com. MEDIA CONTACT Interested media who wish to schedule an interview with Linda and Bob Carey please forward your requests to contact Workhouse, CEO Adam Nelson via telephone +1 646. 205. 3540 or via email nelson@workhousepr.com for consideration. THE TUTU PROJECT BY BOB CAREY The Tutu Project began in 2003 as a lark. I mean, really, think of it. Me photographing myself in a pink tutu, how crazy is that? But nine years ago my wife, Linda, and I moved to the East Coast and, as odd as it may sound it, the self-portraits proved to be a perfect way of expressing myself. Why? Because even though the move was exciting, exhilarating, and inspiring, it was 180 degrees from what I knew. So I took the old, mixed it in with the new, and the kept the tutu handy. Six months after the move, Linda, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She beat it, only to have it recur in 2006. During these past nine years, I’ve been in awe of her power, her beauty, and her spirit. Oddly enough, her cancer has taught us that life is good, dealing with it can be hard, and sometimes the very best thing— no, the only thing we can do to face another day is to laugh at ourselves, and share a laugh with others. Enter Ballerina, the book. Not only is it a collection of my tutu images, it also shares many humorous stories about the adventures of a guy and his pink tulle. So far, there has been a tremendous response to the series of photos—people are particularly moved by the images. And their interest and enthusiasm have made us want to share that experience with as many people as possible in the form of a book, so that we can raise money to help other women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. This autumn, I will self-publish Ballerina. The net proceeds from the sale of the book will go directly to breast cancer organizations, including Cancercare.org and the Beth Israel Department of Integrative Medicine Fund, that make significant differences in the lives of women with breast cancer and in the people who love them. Our goal is to raise $75,000. But we need your help to seed the project so it will take root and grow—and positively affect these families. After years of talking about the project, it’s really happening—and I’m tickled pink. SPONSORSHIP Your support has inspired my latest project—one that combines my love for my wife and my willingness to stand out in public in a pink tutu. Here’s how the sponsorship works: $500 For $500 you will receive a special edition 20-by-24-inch signed print from the Ballerina series, valued at $1,200 along with a first edition of my book. Your sponsorship will make this project possible by helping to cover the costs of self-publishing and distribution. There is no limit to the number of sponsorships you can purchase and sponsors will receive recognition on my Facebook fan page and all other project materials. Visit http://thetutuproject.com/#contribute_content $100 Personalized Book. Pre-purchase a signed copy of my book, which will ship once it is published. You will receive a personalized and signed copy of Ballerina also included is a 8 x 10 inch print from the Ballerina series not featured in the book. Ballerina will be published in fall, 2012. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for updates and all sorts of fun stuff. But in order to meet my autumn publication date, I need to get started now. So if you choose to be a sponsor, I’d appreciate it if you can commit by May 1, 2012. Visit http://thetutuproject.com/#contribute_content $30 Other ways you can contribute are by purchasing a T-shirt. This is a stylish fitted t-shirt. Its lightweight, 100% cotton and runs slightly longer than regular shirts. The White shirt comes in sizes XS-3XL and the cost is $30. T-shirt delivery is approximately 6-8 weeks from time of order. Wear it proud. Visit http://thetutuproject.com/#contribute_content Thank you for considering sponsorship of the much-anticipated Tutu Project. We want you to know how truly grateful we are. By joining us in this effort, you are making a real difference for women who have to endure far too much. Visit www.thetutuproject.com to sign up. BOB CAREY Bob Carey was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona and has been making photographs since the age of 17. His passion for creating imagery and his efforts towards self-expression have been two of the driving forces in his life. Carey graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Arizona State University and went on to photograph commercially with an emphasis in advertising. In 1993 he began to explore self-portraiture, manipulating and transforming his face and body into an unrecognizable self. This led to numerous solo Gallery and Museum exhibitions in the United States and Europe. In 2003, after 42 years of living in Phoenix, he and his wife and business partner Linda relocated to Brooklyn, New York to experience life in a different and culturally diverse environment. Carey’s photography continued on the same path of self-examination and transformation and he began to photograph himself dressed as a Ballerina in a pink tutu. The first image was created one day in a vast, desolate landscape during their journey to New York City. After nine years his Ballerina series has grown into a large body of work, including numerous locations from across the United States. Carey describes this project as humorous, playful and introspective, and he hopes to provide viewers an experience similar to that creating the pictures did for him: entertainment and inspiration. YAHOO: The Tutu Project: Photographer's Self-Portraits in Ballet Skirt Are Weapons in His Wife's Breast Cancer Battle TIME: The Tutu Project: Donning Pink Frills to Fight Breast Cancer NEW YORK DAILY NEWS: Man Dons Tutu to Help Wife in Fight Against Breast Cancer HUFFINGTON POST: The Heartwarming Story of a Man and His Tutu LENSCRATCH: Bob Carey and the Tutu Project THE TRUTH OF BEAUTY: The Tutu Project by Bob Carey W O R K H O U S E WORKHOUSE (workhousepr.com), one of the country's leading public relations and integrated creative agencies, represents The Tutu Project and serves as media contact and A.O.R. Our hands are dirty! Celebrating a decade of service, Workhouse is a full-service creative agency headquartered in New York City. We specialize in integrated marketing positioning emerging and established brands with celebrity craftsmanship. Workhouse provides full-service public relations, social media, brand promotion, creative consulting, not to mention, modern day marketing & branding. Clients have included Debbie Harry, Francis Ford Coppola, David LaChapelle, CBGB, Interview Magazine, Details Magazine, Galleries Lafayette, Ford Motor Company, Virgin, Assouline Editions, Rizzoli International Publications, Tony Shafrazi Gallery, Coty, Versace, Cynthia Rowley, offering award-winning worldwide campaigns across a broad spectrum of luxury, fashion and lifestyle brands. We speak the language. Visit workhousepr.com