For 24 hours, Lexington has movable art feast
RENTED TRUCK WITH PHOTO EXHIBIT MAKES STOPS THROUGHOUT TOWN
By Sarah Hoye
HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER

On this bus, it's the art that goes round and round.
For 24 non-stop hours - from noon yesterday to noon today - a 15-foot moving van has been transformed into a roving art museum by Lexington's new contemporary art center, Con/Temp.

Residents can hop on the van and see photographs that show the work of Thomas A. Dutton, an architect and professor at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Dutton and his students design and rehabilitate dilapidated buildings in one of Cincinnati's poorest communities, Over-the-Rhine.

The idea of a mobile art show meandering around Lexington was the brainchild of Bruce Burris and Kurt Gohde. The neighbors and fellow artists-turned-friends wanted to find a way to talk about social issues with the community through art.
"It's too hard in this (art) community to have a legitimate voice," said Burris, visual artist and co-owner of Latitude, an art program primarily for people with developmental disabilities. "We want to create an infrastructure to show people how to do this and we're trying to come up with community-based artwork."

Before the show hit the road, Chris Bruggeman brought his seventh-grade art class from Saints Peter and Paul to see the exhibit. "I think it's very good, what they are doing," Bruggeman said. "We're working on learning two-dimensional forms, and it was all very usable."

Even the Rev. Dan Noll with Saint Peter and Saint Paul churches came to check things out. "I think it's a very creative way to engage people in dialogue about what art and architecture can do for the heart of a city," Noll said.

Yesterday, Con/Temp visited Gray Inc., a design and construction company, a Wal-Mart and a private residence.
"It's an exciting way to illustrate art, particularly in the urban environment," said Jim Gray, CEO of Gray Inc.

In addition to requested stops, they selected random places to park throughout the night.

Today at 11 a.m., Dutton will be speaking about his work as the exhibit is parked behind Third Street Stuff, 257 North Limestone.

Gohde, who met Dutton in July, said his work fit perfectly in what they were trying to do.

"Hopefully we can get the rest of the community to see that art can make a difference," said Gohde, an assistant professor of art at Transylvania University. "He's a pretty famous fellow, and we had nothing to give him in return. We're pretty lucky."
Crystal Bader, co-owner, with Burris, of Latitude, booked the 2 a.m. slot at her apartment complex.

"It's a 24-hour venture and I'd like to see it not stop," Bader said. "I'm curious to see who will come out at 2 in the morning."