As anticipated, the highly praised “Stages” exhibition made it’s US debut yesterday in a beautiful pop-up space hosted by Deitch Projects in New York’s Soho district. As we mentioned when the show debuted in Paris (covered), “Stages” is a traveling exhibition curated by Nike and Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong Foundation to elevate awareness of the fight against cancer with some of the art world’s most influential artists.

AM was invited to attend the press preview and to speak with the all-star cast of artists about their works. We realized when we got there that the show wasn’t the same exhibition from Paris. Artists such as Os Gemeos, Futura, and Dustin Yellin were new additions to already impressive roster of participants such as Ed Ruscha, Tom Sachs, Jules de Balincourt, Dzine, Eric White (interviewed), Christopher Wool, Rosson Crow, Shepard Fairey (featured), Kaws, Cai Guo-Qiang, Yoshitomo Nara, Jose Parla, Richard Prince and Raymond Pettibon.

After touring the exhibit with the artists, we had but a short break before returning for the VIP “Launch-Event”. With Deitch Projects & Nike Sportswear quarterbacking the private opening, some of Manhattan’s finest Art and Fashion notables came out to experience this stunning showcase. The show opens today to the general public and will run until Nov 21st. The exhibition will then travel to Art Basel in Miami in December.

Lance & Tom Sachs taking shots against cancer... from the Tequila cycle

Lance & Tom Sachs taking shots against cancer... from the Tequila cycle

Check out a detailed insider’s view of the Stages NYC Launch after the jump.

Geoff McFetridge

Geoff McFetridge

Eric White & Shepard Fairey

Eric White & Shepard Fairey

Dzine

Dzine

Rosson Crow

Rosson Crow

Kenny Scharf interviewing w/Poe (Freshness)

Kenny Scharf interviewing w/Poe (Freshness)

Jose Parla

Jose Parla

Kaws & Lance

Kaws & Lance

Tom Sachs

Tom Sachs

Futura

Futura

Parla giving a hands-on guided tour

Parla giving a hands-on guided tour

Jeffery Deitch

Jeffery Deitch

Discuss this show here.