Now updated to include Damien Hirst’s bike! Stages is a united effort between Lance Armstrong and Nike in which they asked over 20 global artists to help raise funds for cancer awareness by using their creativity to express the LIVESTRONG message.

Nike x Livestrong Bikes

The “Stages” exhbition will debut in Paris on July 17th during the Tour de France at Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin and run through August 8th.

above: one of the rooms of the Stages exhibit at Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin

The exhibition will then travel to New York City for an October showing before moving to Los Angeles.

Participating artists : Richard Prince, Ed Ruscha, Andrea Gursky, Cai GuoQiang, Yoshitomo Nara, Christopher Wool, Jules de Balincourt, Tom Sachs, Shepard Fairey, Dzine, Eric White, Geoff McFetridge, Kaws, José Parla, Raymond Pettibon, Kenny Scharf, Rosson Crow, Aaron Young, Lari Pittman, Kenny Scharf, Catherine Opie

All profits from these sales will go directly to the Lance Armstrong Foundation to further their efforts to defeat cancer through research, outreach, and legislation.

THE ART BIKES FOR LANCE ARMSTRONG

In addition to the pieces in the art show, several of today’s hottest artists decorated Trek bikes for Lance to ride in several of his 2009 races, including in several legs of the Tour de France. The bikes made especially for this occasion that Lance will actually be riding were designed (well… more like decorated) by the following artists: Kaws, Shepard Fairey, Marc Newson, Kenny Scharf, Yoshitomo Nara and Damien Hirst.

Trek Madone Bike design by KAWS:

Trek Madone Bike Design by Shepard Fairey:

And of course a matching Shepard Fairey decorated Giro helmet:

Trek Speed Concept Bike design by Marc Newson:

Trek equinox TTX Bike Design by Kenny Scharf:

Trek Speed Concept Bike design by Yoshitomo Nara:

The text on the top tube of the Nara bike reads, “Never forget your beginner’s spirit!”

above photo: Zack Vestal

Trek Madone bike design by Damien Hirst:

above: the Hirst design for the final day of the 2009 Tour de France.

all photos courtesy of Trek bikes and LAMJC

As an added bonus all of Lance’s 2009 art bikes will be auctioned off by SOTHEBY’S on October 2nd at the VIP gala opening reception for “Stages” at the Park Avenue Armory with all proceeds going to benefit LIVESTRONG.