Stages Launches in LA

Over the past weekend, Nike Sportswear presents The Montalban, hosted the global unveiling of “Stages,” a collaborative art project between Lance Armstrong and Nike Sportswear in which artwork from over twenty-one of today’s most prominent artists from across the globe will be exhibited and sold to support Livestrong, the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

After a two mile bike ride through the heart of Hollywood, hundreds of cyclists and special guests packed the Montalban Theatre. Following a humor-filled introduction by actor Ben Stiller, Lance Armstrong and Livestrong president Doug Ulman took the stage and were subsequently joined by Nike CEO Mark Parker where they discussed the inception of and concept behind “Stages” and the two customized bikes from Barry McGee and KAWS, each of which will be ridden by Armstrong later this year. Following an audience Q&A session with Lance, Doug and Mark, the audience were treated to a surprise performance by recording artist Ben Harper.

Participating artists in the “Stages” project include Barry McGee, Ed Ruscha, Jose Parla, JR, KAWS, Os Gemeos, Rosson Crow, Shepard Fairey, Takashi Murakami, Yoshitomo Nara and more.

The exhibition will make its debut at Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin in Paris during the upcoming Tour de France and will continue with stages in other cities, including Los Angeles, Portland, and New York.

03.07.2009