• DAVID MINTON, CONTRIBUTING ART CRITIC
• LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER, LEXINGTON, KY
• JULY 20, 1997

Bruce Burris is at it again.

In a continuing attempt at "organizing his experience as a recent resident of Kentucky" (as a news release describes his effort), Burris is opening the latest incarnation of his "Kentuckycycle" on Aug. 8 at Lexington's Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning.

"An unruly tossed salad of cultural knickknacks, media sound bites, religious texts, hillbilly souvenirs, fares, broken jalopies and more" make up this "evolving roadshow," according to Burris.

Lexingtonians got to see the project's genesis at Hip Joynt in 1996. It has now taken a different form and, after it closes at the Carnegie Center on Sept. 10, will be shipped to Birmingham, Ala.; Covington, KY; Spartanburg, S.C.; and Schenectedy, N.Y.

"Kentuckycycle" takes as its departure point the issue of "how cultural perspectives are shaped through the media (and) cultural institutions" such as Appalshop and Berea College. Burris, a Delaware native, admits he has never been to Eastern Kentucky. He says his views of the region are shaped by "the sort of misinformation which all too frequently informs our popular stereotypes and prejudices."

Collaborating with him is Christina Godsey, an artist of "Phillbilly" (Philippine and hillbilly) heritage from Edmonton. There will be a reception at the Carnegie Center, 251 West Second Street from 5 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 8.

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