Queenstown’s first ever Pecha Kucha Night

The worldwide phenomenon of Pecha Kucha, Japanese for ‘chit chat’ is coming to Queenstown on Thursday, 3rd December.

Taking the ‘lecture’ out of a lecture series, Pecha Kucha is a rapid-fire presentation format in which 8-14 outspoken creative-types are limited to the 20 x 20 Pecha Kucha rule. Each speaker is only allowed to present 20 images; each shown for 20 seconds, resulting in a fast paced 6 minute and 40 second presentation.

Founded by Tokyo-based architects Mark Dythan and Astrid Klien as a way to avoid boring talks by architects, the format makes it impossible for presenters to drag on with painful, longwinded slideshows. The 20x20 rule keeps presentations concise and interest levels up. Organisers Renée Tanner and Luka Hinse say: “Pecha Kucha is a fun night out, a mix of the old-fashioned slide show and public lecture.

It’s a great chance for the audience to experience an exhilarating variety of ideas and projects. And with a line up of presenters like those participating in Queenstown’s very first event, the night promises to be entertaining for all”

At Pecha Kucha Nights presenters come from a range of industries; from design to fashion, film, art and much more.

The Queenstown line up includes Architect; Rafe McLean, Artist; Diedre Copeland, Design Blogger; Julia Atkinson; Band members Joe and Caleb of Blackplanet, and Doug Jacques of Joe’s Garage. “Essentially Pecha Kucha is an opportunity for both presenters and their audience to get a broader appreciation of their local creative scene. The Pecha Kucha format has become a worldwide phenomenon, with over 250 cities hosting these events. T

here is no restriction on the type of content that can be presented so audiences should be prepared for an evening packed with surprises from Queenstown's creative scene! ” says Auckland based organiser Renée Tanner who grew up in Queenstown and saw the potential of initiating such an event in her home town.

The Arrowtown Hall will be open from 7.30pm for people to enjoy a drink at the Peregrine Winery bar before the Pecha Kucha session starts promptly at 20.20 (8.20pm)

PRESENTERS (so far, as the list is growing each day! ):
Julia Atkinson//design blogger/make the internet work foryou/www.studiohomecreative.com
Mary Jowett//Architect// Surfaces – Japan
Rafe McLean// Architect// concepts for three homes// www.rafemaclean.co.nz
Deidre Copeland // Artist // up until now // www.dee-art-space.com
Joe and Caleb Cowie// Blackplanet//Audio Production//Soul technology
Stacey Farrell//architect and artist //black house // www.spacedesign.co.nz
Doug Jacques // Joe’s Garage // http://www.joes.co.nz
Michael Sly// Designer // www.taramea.com/ Designing a indigenous New Zealand perfume // what is our unique scent identity?

WHAT: Pecha Kucha Night Queenstown #1

WHEN: Thursday, 03 December, 7.30pm VENUE: Arrowtown Athenaeum Hall

ENTRY: $8 cash only door sales on the night

WEB: www.pechakucha.co.nz or www.pecha-kucha.org

Pecha Kucha acknowledges the generous support of Central Lakes Trust, Creative Communities New Zealand; Queenstown Lakes District Council and Peregrine Winery. More information on Pecha Kucha Pecha Kucha was originally devised in 2003 by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham of Tokyo’s Klein-Dythan Architects as a place for young designers to network and show their work in public. The idea is to keep presentations concise, the interest level up and to share a range of ideas within the course of one night. Presenters are usually from the design, architecture, photography, art and creative fields but speakers from academia and the business world also take part. The format has spread to over 250 cities across the world, including London, San Francisco, Seattle, Rotterdam, Shanghai, Rio and Berlin. Last year, Pecha Kucha Night was voted Best Inspirational Event in the Metro 2008 Best of Auckland awards. Internationally, well-known presenters have included architects Rem Koolhas and Toyo Ito, designers such as Tom Dixon and Ron Arad, comedian Johnny Vegas, actress Joanna Lumley and BBC newscaster Jean Snow.