In Motion
(NEW YORK) "You don't even have to be a big art enthusiast to appreciate what's going on here! All of us have massive respect for Lance Armstrong, and it's a real honor to be involved in the show," said artist José Parlá Friday night during the opening reception of STAGES at Soho's Deitch Projects. The extensive art exhibit featured over twenty artists who contributed their efforts, along with Nike, to underscore the Livestrong message and support those affected by cancer. Art enthusiasts, sports fans, designers, and the like came in droves to toast Armstrong's cause and celebrate the fusion of art, athleticism and a resplendent sense of optimism.
All eyes were glued to the gallery's entrance, waiting for the cycling icon to make his way to the exhibit. Sure enough, Armstrong strutted through the door in his blue Nike kicks, launching the crowd of intellects and artists into a flighty buzz. "This event proves that artists are among the most generous people you will find anywhere," said Jeffrey Deitch. "A lot of them are young, and so it's not a conventional benefit show where people send over a print or something small. People in the art community are seriously inspired by Lance." Terry Jones seconded this emotion. "The quality of the art that people are contributing is fantastic, and the inspiration behind it is amazing," he said.
Phillip Lim, taking his sweet time to weave through the gallery, admitted that this was a learning experience. "Up until recently, I never connected art with inspiration. I always saw it as a visual appreciation, but in the end I'm starting to understand that there is no golden rule; it's just about an emotional attraction," he confessed. So what was luring him? "Those giant yellow push pins!" he said, pointing to Geoff McFetridge's installation. The affair seemed to unearth everyone's inner philosopher. "Art, bicycling, all of this...it all works together," Lim continued. "Everything is connected, and in the end, it's all about life."
Full of vivacity, artist Rosson Crow twirled in her pepto pink Zac Posen gown. "Pretty sick, huh?" she asked a group of friends, who all nodded in confirmation. "Zac designed the dress and I painted it!" Crow gestured towards her own painting. "Lance and I both hail from Texas, and so the painting is of a Texas cycling show in the 1800s. Thought I'd keep it real with the hometown reference." Crow and pal Posen quickly made their way over to Tom Sachs' bicycle titled, "Lance's Tequila Bike for Girls," complete with a bicycle basket-turned-tequila bar. Posen pointed towards the bike. "I bought my first Tom Sachs piece straight out of the trunk of his car! It was this paper gun, and I bought it when I was a teenager." Attendees quickly turned their attention to Tom Sachs and Armstrong, who downed a celebratory shot from the Sachs piece. One guest noted, "Yep. It's about that time of night to start doing tequila shots off of a bike!"
EMILY POPP
