To officially launch the LIVESTRONG “Stages” benefit art show (full details below) powered by NIKE that will debut during LANCE ARMSTRONG’s run in this year’s TOUR DE FRANCE, an epic kickoff celebration was held on Saturday nite at Nike’s MONTALBAN THEATER in the heart of Hollywood. The evening began with a massive public charity ride from Children’s Hospital—after Lance spent part of the day visiting with pediatric cancer patients—to the theater where he then took the stage to formally announce the charity art show with the help of BEN STILLER, Nike’s MARK PARKER, Livestrong CEO DOUG ULMAN, and SHEPARD FAIREY. Speaking before a packed house of loyal yellow-clad followers and Livestrong soldiers, Lance eloquently detailed his plan to expand the global scope of cancer awareness through his return to professional cycling and engaging the creative community more closely in the battle with “Stages.” Closing out the nite was surprise musical guest BEN HARPER who performed a full set with his new band THE RELENTLESS SEVEN before a truly stunned crowd. Exhibited throughout the venue were Lance’s new TREK “art bikes” designed by BARRY McGEE and KAWS, as well as his twin Tour of California cycles, most notably the now-infamous stolen time trial bike. Onlookers crowded around displays of Nike’s stunning new NSW Livestrong gear (proceeds from the sale of which go directly to Livestrong) that included offerings by artists MISTER CARTOON and FUTURA, and mingled with some of the “Stages” artists in attendance like ROSSON CROW, ERIC WHITE, and Mr. Fairey (who might have signed more autographs than Lance by night’s end). Keep an eye on Supertouch for more exclusive details on the show coming soon. Meanwhile, HAVE A LOOK:THE STAGES ART SHOW:
“Stages” brings together nearly 30 of the world’s most unique and diverse artists to create original works of art inspired by Lance Armstrong and his mission to raise awareness of the global cancer burden. This unique project coalesces the worlds of art, philanthropy and sport in a way never before seen to exhibit world-class artwork representing the power of human potential in overcoming adversity.

Artists participating in the “Stages” art tour include Christopher Wool, Tom Sachs, Rosson Crow, Shepard Fairey, Raymond Pettibon, José Parlá, Ed Ruscha, KAWS, Dzine, Eric White, Barry McGee, Kenny Scharf, Os Gemeos, Marc Newson, Taryn Simon, JR, Yoshitomo Nara, Suejin Chung, Lari Pittman, Aaron Young and Jules de Balincourt, to name but a few. All artists will begin working on their pieces between now and July, leading to an exhibition at the world-renowned Emmanuel Perrotin Gallery in Paris on July 16th, 2009. All artwork will be exclusive to the show and sold with all profits being donated to Livestrong.

To draw further attention to the show while on the road to his potential 8th Tour de France Win, Lance will be riding a large series of special Trek “art bikes” throughout his upcoming races. Created by the likes of Marc Newson, KAWS, and Damien Hirst, the cycles will be exhibited in the “Stages” art tour before ultimately being auctioned to benefit the Livestrong Foundation.

Ben Harper will play guitar better than you and then kick your ass…

The stolen Tour of California TT bike. “Ride it like it’s hawwwt, ride it like it’s hawwwt…”

A-list actor Tugg Speedman & Lance catch up after a quick game of pickup dodgeball…

Shepard Fairey’s Livestrong call to action…

Lance’s legion of Livestrong cyclists awaits his starting gun…

Lance and LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa rally the troops for an epic bike ride…

And they’re off…

While the riders storm the streets of Hollywood en masse, Lance’s art buddies Tim Biskup and James Jean constructed an epic Livestrong chalk drawing outside the Montalban Theater as the culmination of the “Open Roads” cancer awareness campaign…

LA’s finest usher in Lance and his legion of loyal hope riders…

Tim Biskup, Nike’s Sandy Bodecker and Mark Parker, and artist Eric White catch up after the ride…

Meanwhile, a packed theater awaits Lance’s return..

Which gets a rousing intro from Lance buddy/Livestrong ally Ben Stiller…

…who compares Lance’s bike ride with President Bush to his grueling cancer treatment.

Lance and Livestrong CEO Doug Ulman storm the stage…

Where Lance underscores the theme of the evening…

And waxing philosophical on the battle ahead…

Sitting down with Nike’s Mark Parker, the trio unveil the details of the “Stages” art show…

And Lance talks big picture about engaging the creative community with his anti-cancer mission…

Next up is artist Shepard Fairey…

Who reveals the inspiration for the Livestrong Montalban mural…

And interviews Lance about his plans to engage artists worldwide in the Livestrong fight…

Shepard’s glorious middle aged physique gets him confused for Lance all the time…

Top secret musical guest Ben Harper blew the crowd’s mind…

And tore up the stage with his new band The Relentless 7 in their first-ever LA gig…

Shepard and Amanda Fairey discuss action plans with Juan Pelota…

The stolen TOC TT bike kept the crowds transfixed in the lobby…

And might just be the most photographed bike in the world (in addition to being the most famous one)…

Tim Biskup sports his Barracuda “Lance Armstrong” gear…

The message reigns supreme…

This entry was posted on Monday, March 9th, 2009 at 8:21 am and is filed under Feature, Lance Armstrong, Livestrong, News, Next Big Thing, art. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.