As the mission asserts, Stages is more than an event, it is a community. Stages is a collaboration between Team Radioshack’s Lance Armstrong and Nike to raise funds and awareness to fight cancer through the unique and moving art pieces exhibited at Stages. Stages features roughly two dozen talented artist from many varying art forms, all intended to represent the power of human potential in overcoming adversity. The exhibit has traveled worldwide, beginning in Paris, moving to New York and most recently experiencing a very well-reviewed showing in Miami earlier this month. The style and themes of the art work varies artist to artist, but the focus of the exhibit is to show how the ideals and values of the LiveSTRONG organization transcend through these artists and their work.
One specific artist that speaks directly to the cycling world, both to professionals and the simple cycling enthusiast, is Dzine. As ghost bikes, unfortunately, continue to pop up on street corners and intersections across the United States, Dzine took this notion and presented it at the Stages exhibit. Ghost bikes are typically old bikes painted white, recreated as memorials for individuals who were hit and killed while on their bike. Chicago-based Dzine took this idea and created a ghost bike for Stages. This was a simple, subdued white bike that speaks of the tragedy some cyclist have endured from a collision with a car.
The artwork at Stages works to inspire and empower those individuals affected by cancer. The pieces are intended to bring together the world of art, philanthropy and sport. All artwork is available for purchase, with the funds going to benefit the LiveSTRONG foundation.
More info on the Stages 09 website.
By Fitzalan Gorman, staff writer
Nice piece, Fitzalan. Another great example of the scope of LA’s activities beyond being a great road cyclist. Really consistent with what he said when he came back from retirement, using this sport celebrity as a springboard for the global campaign against cancer, and getting meaningful involvement from commercial giants like Nike. Long after cycling, he’ll be champion to many. Cheers!
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Here’s what I thought about when I explored where the art/links took me.
When I ride my bike, I smile a lot, even though I’m alone, cause its just cool to let my mind enjoy all the sights and thoughts that portal my spirit, and stimulate my mind, (It might be a creek, a path in the shade, a rock in the mud, a fox in the grass, or tarantula on the road, or the chirp from the depth of green leaves in the darkness of a cool forest, but portals open), while I travel at the speed of soothe, all at the same time that I’m busting my ass as hard as my heart and lungs will let me sustain the exchange replenishment I battle for in each gasp for relief that only provides enough to encourage the struggle for another, until it has to end. It’s a lot like waking up and feeling good because I’m remembering a really great dream; except that I can do it when I want and while I’m awake, like “Oh yeah, I’m alive, how great!”
And traveling different roads makes for even more different moments that feel like I’m seeing deeper in all directions into the universe, and there are more portals to access and connect those colorful chambers of life I experienced in each. With that art, I caught glimpses through others portals–there are souls out there that are Pretty Nice!
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