As you all are hopefully aware, the leader of many a mechanized-two-wheeler assault peloton, Lance Armstrong, has come out of retirement and is competing in the 2009 Tour de France to promote cancer awareness through his Livestrong organization. What you all may not be aware of is that Lance has a thing for art and has commissioned some pretty notable artists and designers to create bikes for him.

For example, Marc Newson, whose designs were included in our recent exhibition, European Design Since 1985, is responsible for the graphic treatment on this time trial bike.

Marc Newson's bicycle for Lance Armstrong

The creator of the iconic Obama “Hope” poster, Shepard Fairey, was also tapped for a graphic treatment for Mellow Johnny (Lance’s nickname).

Shepard Fairey's bicycle for Lance Armstrong

And while there’s no image of the bike yet (that I can find), young British artist, Damien Hirst, is also set to chime in with a bike design for Lance. Stay tuned with a Google search and Lance’s Twitter feed.

In the meantime, my mechanized brother, Chalkbot, who is faithfully chalking the roads of the tour with LIVESTRONG text messages sent to 46453, wants you to check out some of his handiwork and follow him on Twitter.

The campaign includes Russian Communist inspired artwork on limited-edition bags, window displays, catalogs and an in-store presentation, all hitting stores on March 12.

Saks' Spring campaign

The campaign is inspired by the bold graphic designs and propaganda tone of Constructivist art. Though a controversial move, Saks sure could use the attention. The luxury retailer has felt the recession’s sting, recently announcing a $98.8 million loss.

Smart move, Saks. After all, Fairey has developed into one of the most influential street artists of our time. Despite the cloud of controversy surrounding him, his work can now be seen in museums and galleries, graphic design, signature apparel, and now: your favorite upscale department store.

Shepard Fairey

Terron E. Schaefer, the senior vice president of marketing at Saks recently said, “What we do every day, really, is propaganda.” Read the whole article at NYTimes.com. Pretty fierce stuff, but this could definitely be seen by Fairey’s fans as a major sell-out move. What do you think?

Obsessed with well-designed packaging and everyday objects? Check out some related links I found:

• The Dieline is chock full of fresh ideas in package design. From the latest soda bottle concept, to clever music packaging- critique a design or suggest your own.
  

  Wine bottles by Let it Grow

• Looking for a chic fly swatter or watering can with as much form as it has function? Check out the new Design Center online or here at the IMA.

Dr. Skud Flyswatter- $20

• On May 14^th, you can meet film director Gary Hustwit (Helvetica) and see his latest documentary, Objectified,  about the creative process of product design. The film features designers who shape our manufactured environment and our interfaces with mass-produced objects including the people behind IKEA furniture and the iPod.

Objectified movie poster

"Peace Memorial" in Indianapolis, IN

With Martin Luther King, Jr. Day right around the corner, I thought it would be a good time to look at some MLK-inspired public art in Indianapolis. Martin Luther King Memorial Park in Indy visibly celebrates the battle for civil rights with several interesting works of art. One is a colorful mural on the walls of a building next to the park’s swimming pool, and the other is a two-piece sculpture of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert Kennedy called “Peace Memorial.” The memorial marks the spot in which Kennedy gave a speech the night MLK was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. Here you can listen to an NPR story explaining the historic night, 41 years ago, when presidential candidate Kennedy delivered the news of MLK’s death to shocked residents. His words calmed the city, and it has been noted that as a result, Indianapolis did not see the violence other cities experienced that night. The landmark and great significance of this place is a must-experience.

Martin Luther King Memorial Park, Indianapolis

But even with a bit of searching in Indianapolis, it was difficult to find public art related to the civil rights movement, black history or MLK. Indiana Avenue, Randsom Place, Walker Theatre and Crispus Attucks were several of the places I looked, from the outside. There is a Crispus Attucks Museum which includes “treasures from the first all African American high school in the state of Indiana and highlights its’ history-making African American community that produced such legends as basketball great “The Big O” Oscar Robertson; Grammy award winning super star, Kenny ‘baby face’ Edmonds; jazz great, Freddie Hubbard; and opera sensation, Angela Brown.” There are also plans to build an Indiana Museum of  African American History, to open in 2010 in the White River State Park.

Even Washington, D.C. has yet to fully realize a National Memorial dedicated to Martin Luther King, Jr. A memorial designed by San Fransisco-based ROMA Design Group is under construction on the north east corner of the Tidal Basin between the Lincoln Memorial (where MLK gave his famous “I have a dream” speech) and Jefferson Memorial. Started in 2006, its completion is scheduled for 2010 and is dependent upon raising $120 million.

The Memorial is conceived as an engaging landscape experience to convey three fundamental and recurring themes throughout Dr. King’s life – democracy, justice, and hope. Natural elements such as the crescent-shaped-stone wall inscribed with excerpts of his sermons, and public addresses will serve as the living testaments of his vision of America. The centerpiece of the Memorial, the “Stone of Hope”, will feature a 30-foot likeness of Dr. King.

Some museums are already taking steps to document and celebrate the first African American President of the U.S. Fulfilling MLK’s dream of equality, Barack Obama will be sworn in as President on Tuesday. The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery has acquired a poster of Barack Obama by artist Shepard Fairey for its permanent collection. You can read my May 2008 post about Fairey for more on political portraits.

We will be celebrating MLK Day at the IMA on Monday, January 19. Join in, take a moment to realize this landmark celebration, and be sure to comment if you know of anymore Indianapolis MLK-inspired public art we should visit.