Progression & Symbolism

Visual Symbolism:

1.Three Big Expanding Rings: / strength in connection both past and future. A cycle of life. Symbolic of the bike tires and stages we all go through to fight cancer. Historical strength in the number 3 in art; (Da Vinci’s Last Super, etc)

2.Smaller LiveStrong Rings: engine driving forward / strength in connection / connecting to others. In 100 - 300 years from now, people who see the original and all the prints and posters will immediately identify with the yellow bands of strength and central image of a racer. The story can then unfold from there.

3.Center Stage: Stages of the race / Stage of life / Stages on fighting cancer.

4.Motivational Road: A Path to Success: All the key quotes now becomes the (symbolic) road that “Lance is literally riding on”. The words below serve as a strong foundation and validation of these three key phrases above. They serve as the essential fabric and ingredients that will support people in their cancer journey. (please note: I am in the process of editing these quotes so they are more succinct and fit within the 3 distinctive categories.)

5.Visual Balance: “Life is like a bicycle - to keep your balance you need to keep moving forward." Ride your whole life on the “ Manifesto” and you will become a person of “value” . Lance is balanced in the middle and on top of the three key phrases “Unity In Strength. Knowledge is Power. Attitude is Everything.”

6.Ease of build/making the art: Add comments here
7.Ease of reproduction to smaller scale motivational prints and posters: Add comments here
8.Note: “Inspirational Words” will be typeset bigger & will be easier to read & presented in 3 sections. read more here

Variation below:

The stylized graffiti letter forms complement the energy of movement. They also serve as an organic backdrop that plays on the highly stylized designs found in Lance’s helmet and race attire. Combining the beautiful “flowing lines” of the letterforms with the Livestrong wrist bands will be challenge. The flowing lines are highly symbolic of all the “possible paths that one can take in life” or even a bike race. The Livestrong wrist bands have global brand presence. Both are needed, but I have to keep things simple.

One solution would be to incorporate/collage 1,000s of the actual Livestrong bands right into the actual artwork. They would be epoxied into the right hand area indicated by the yellow silhouettes of the bikes. I like this strong graphic use of bold color, but especially like the symbolism of “Lance “riding into a bright future” - as symbolized by the bright yellow sea of yellow Livestrong bands. The bike shapes could be cutout via high pressure water or laser cutting.

Comments from a few collectors of mine suggested even more simplicity so that “Lance” and the “key messages” stand out more. The piece below is representational of 2 weeks of exploration and has conjured up a new and appropriate title for the piece. “Hope Rides Forever”. The battle to beat cancer will be over one day – we will conquer the disease. This “Living Art Monument” must therefore also inspire people to do better in life even after the fight (with cancer) is over.

Cancer / the “LiveStrong Journey” can become a reminder that there will always be obstacles in life to overcome. The art piece and selection of motivational scripts must serve this duality of purpose.

This process of building ideas for the “Living Art Monument” has solidified three mottos in life that I live by. 1). Always remember where you came from. 2). The power is in the presence so “LiveStrong in the moment.” 3). Plan for the future.

If we can leave this world “just a little better than we found it” - then that is a good life.

Progression & Symbolism: Hope Rides Forever 2010

Hope Rides Forever: Feb 11, 2009

(concept for 7 x 22 foot sculpture/ painting monument)

see more detail >

The piece grew! It will now be 7 by 22 feet in size. This latest comp builds on the strengths of the previous ones but incorporates the concept of “Stages”. The paintings reads left to right and ends with the strength of his vision looking into the future – a “warrior of hope”.

The whole story of Lance started with a “bike and some hope for survival”. He surrounded himself with close friends and the best doctors as well as a vision for a foundation to help others (Unity in Strength). He learned after his cancer survival that he had become stronger as a results of his battle and by also empowering himself with knowledge to overcome the disease. He also utilized a brain-trust of knowledge so he could train smarter as an athlete (Knowledge is Power). Finally he always remained true to himself - Focused & Fierce with the defiance to over come any obstacle. (Attitude is Everything).

I’d still like to incorporate and collage 1,000s of the actual Livestrong bands right into the actual artwork into any areas that are colored yellow (the background, his shirt and the word “Hope”). The “motivational threads” (key quotes) will still be a symbolic road that “Lance is literally riding on”.