Author: sylvia

On the eve of the inauguration of the #bOObs project’s photo exhibition, I had the pleasure of speaking with journalist Alexandra Skaraki from the Huffington Post Greece about my work and the exhibition itself.

Take a look at the full article here: Huff Post
Although it’s in Greek, with your browser’s auto-translate plugin, you can understand the basics. 🙂

Exhibition:

Opening night: Tuesday, October 23rd at 8:30pm
Duration: October 23 – 29, 2018
iFocus Gallery | Akadimias 57 & Ippokratous 13

Don’t miss the opening night, where Dr. M. Philippidis, Gynecologist and Breast Surgeon at Mediterraneo Hospital, will speak about what we all need to be aware of at different stages of our lives when it comes to breast cancer and ways to prevent it.

How cool is it to have your morning coffee reading a national newspaper with an article in it about your project? TOTALLY COOL!

That’s exactly what happened today and I’m absolutely thrilled about it!

I spoke to journalist Ioanna Fotiadi, editor at Kathimerini -one of the main national newspapers in Greece, about #bOObs: the project’s goals, the aesthetic and the exhibition. Her article was printed in the Culture section of the paper, inviting all to the exhibition.

You can check out the online version here.

Details on the exhibition:

Opening night: Tuesday, October 23rd at 8:30pm
Duration: October 23 – 29, 2018
iFocus Gallery:  Akadimias 57 & Ippokratous 13

Don’t miss the opening night, where Dr. M. Philippidis, Gynecologist and Breast Surgeon at Mediterraneo Hospital, will speak about what we all need to be aware of at different stages of our lives when it comes to breast cancer and ways to prevent it.

See you there!

I had the absolute pleasure of meeting journalist Dimitra Tsigene and photographer Francesca Watkinson from LadyLike, whom I welcomed at my studio where we had a wonderful chat about the #bOObs project.

We spoke about how it all started and why I felt the need to do this project, its implementation and the importance of doing the photo sessions in groups (with the photos shot privately). We discussed why the project is anonymous, not showing any faces, making women’s chests the protagonist and the overall aim of #bOObs.

Then, we took some photos for the magazine, recreating the project’s aesthetic, where I was placed in front of the lens.

Here is the full interview in Greek (you’re welcome to use your browser’s auto translation feature to get the gist of the story) with Francesca’s lovely photos: LadyLike interview

Last but not least, I invite you to my first solo exhibition, where you can get an up close and personal look at the #bOObs project.

Opening night: Tuesday, October 23rd at 8:30pm
Duration: October 23 – 29, 2018
iFocus Gallery | Akadimias 57 & Ippokratous 13

Don’t miss the opening night, where Dr. M. Philippidis, Gynecologist and Breast Surgeon at Mediterraneo Hospital, will speak about what we all need to be aware of at different stages of our lives when it comes to breast cancer and ways to prevent it.

Opening night: Tuesday, October 23rd at 8:30pm
Duration: October 23 – 29, 2018
iFocus Gallery | Akadimias 57 & Ippokratous 13

Don’t miss the opening night, where Dr. M. Philippidis, Gynecologist and Breast Surgeon at Mediterraneo Hospital, will speak about what we all need to be aware of at different stages of our lives when it comes to breast cancer and ways to prevent it.

UPDATE:

Take a look below at some of the snapshots of the opening night.
More photos here.

Two years ago I had donated my hair to Donate Hair, an organization that provides wigs to children who are undergoing cancer treatment or suffer from alopecia.

So this year I decided to do the same, only this time my ponytail would be going to Alma Zois, the Hellenic Association of Women with Breast Cancer.

Alma Zois runs a hair donation program called “Donate Strength“, in collaboration with AB Vassilopoulos and PANTENE. They collect the donated hair and afterwards they send it to a wig manufacturer. With the raised money, Alma Zois subsidizes wig purchases, for women suffering from cancer and undergoing chemotherapy.

Great, right?! Fantastic! The only thing is that my hair wasn’t as long as before and the minimum length for a hair donation is 20cm., which means that I was about to cut my hair really short! And I was intrigued with the idea that I’ll have such a good reason to make such a bold styling choice!

I donated a 23cm long pony tail of my hair to Alma Zois and plan on experimenting a bit more with the short hair look! 🙂

Before:                                                 During:                                               After:

Follow my hair story via the #bOObs Instagram Stories: click here.

Since so many of you have asked me to be part of the #bOObs project, but live too far away for me to photograph you, I decided that…
In August the #bOObs Instagram account (@boobs4prevention) will be YOURS!
Show your #bOObs & tell your story.
You can remain anonymous or reveal all! Your choice!

HOW TO:
1. Find a white wall.

2. Take a photo of your boobs square on.
(It can be in a neutral or expressive pose.)

3. Write about your boobs.
Anything you want to say!

4. Send it to me via DM or email.
(DM me for my email ????)

Make sure you check out the #bOObs Show & Tell Instagram Stories here!

UPDATE

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the follower submissions:

Visit the project’s Instagram account and read each woman’s story in the caption below each photo!

#bOObs is all about becoming used to seeing women’s chests in their natural state (not Photoshoped or styled), getting to know our own body better and learning how we can detect any signs of breast cancer.

Sharing one’s knowledge, breast cancer journey or personal experience in a friendly, relaxed environment is a key part in learning about ourselves and our options. For this, the #bOObs photo sessions are organized in small groups of at least 3-4 women.

At each #bOObs photo session, we start off with light chit-chat in the sitting room area of my studio. Then, I show the participants a brief video presentation of what breasts are made of, what the signs of breast cancer are, how to do a regular self breast exam and what to do in case you find something out of the ordinary.

This usually sparks conversation between the women and when we organically come to the point of doing the actual photos, each woman is taken into the private studio area, where I photograph her in two poses: a neutral one and an expressive one in which she chooses how to act and interact with her chest.

The #bOObs photo shoots can generate curiosity or be emotional, but they’re always educational in one way or another and they tend to be a lot of fun!

Here’s a sneak peak at a photoshoot.

If you’re thinking about becoming part of the conversation and participating in #bOObs, reach out to me via email: info[@]sylviakouveli.com