TyK [Thought You Knew] launches their 2010 Ladies and Men’s Calendars at Chicago’s Mars Gallery at 1139 W Fulton Market, featuring work of ALARM contributor and TyK Ladies Calendar photographer Michelle Nolan.
TyK was started as a project to explore modern stereotypes of women in the biking community and to raise money for a good cause.
The response has been fantastic, with calendars reaching as far as Asia.
Now in it’s second year, TyK has already received 50% more sponsorships and has expanded to include a men’s “Superhero” calendar as well (photographed by Christopher Dilts)
Nolan describes her work on the project as possessing “a Vargas-style with a modern contemporary edge,” noting that the men’s Superhero-themed calendar has a harder edge.
Although this year, TyK had access to more resources including studio space, a set designer, a stylist and makeup artist, the models in the calendars still come from the Chicago biking community.
“That’s the cool factor,” says Nolan. “These are all real people, not models pretending to be a pinup girl or a superhero or a biker, just real people that wanted to be a part of the project.
“I always have liked that better as a photographer, because there is a new experience there for most of those people. You’re witnessing and participating in a new experience.”
Calendars will be available to purchase. Proceeds benefit the Chicago Women’s Health Center.