Lance Armstrong, 700 cycling enthusiasts, and about twice that number of Nike sneakers swooshed their way through the streets of Hollywood on Saturday, as the seven-time Tour de France winner led a 2.2-mile ride to celebrate the launch of "Stages," a Nike-sponsored global art exhibition that will support the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) and its LIVESTRONG campaign. Among the artists, cyclists, and artist-cyclists that turned out for the launch party were Shepard Fairey, who created a mural for the project (pictured at right, behind Armstrong, Nike CEO Mark Parker, Fairey, and LAF president Doug Ulman) and Barry McGee.

Stages is now in its earliest stages. The project has commissioned 22 artists and designers—including Fairey, Tom Sachs, Marc Newson, Geoff McFetridge, Kenny Scharf, and Christopher Wool—to create original works of art inspired by Armstrong and his efforts to raise global awareness of cancer. The artists will begin working on their pieces between now and July, leading to an exhibition at the Emmanuel Perrotin Gallery in Paris on July 16th. After the Paris opening, each of the one-of-a-kind works will go on sale to benefit the LAF, and the exhibit will travel to New York, L.A., and Portland, Oregon. Nike will further the cause by releasing two new lines—a "Hope Rides Again" apparel and footwear collection, and "Greatest Hits"footwear—with proceeds going to the LAF. Click "continued..." for a larger shot of Armstrong, Parker, Fairey, and his Armstrong-inspired mural for Saturday's event.

(Photo: Nike, Susan Goldman)