Pecha Kucha and NWF&V (or, Bobby Brady No More)

Pecha whatcha? That's what I first said when approached by Bill at Works Partnership to join in a slide show that is sweeping the world. Pecha Kucha Night was first conceived as a place for young designers to meet and show their work. It's a cross between show-and-tell, peer review art critique, and a party. The idea is that people show 20 slides for 20 seconds each, making each presentation 6 minutes and 40 seconds. After starting in Tokyo, Pecha Kucha events have now been held in 70 different cities. Portland's version, at which I'll be showing photos from various trips to Asia and Europe, will be held Monday, a little after 8:00, at the Ace Hotel's event space at 430 SW 10th Avenue.

Also, continuing the shameless self promotion, tonight opens the Northwest Film & Video Festival at the Portland Art Museum/Northwest Film Center with a lineup of short films, including my own piece, Creamery Birds. It's just a modest three-minute short observing pigeons flying about the Darigold creamery just of Southeast Powell, but I was shocked to see that the film has won a special judge's award. I am blessedly no longer an award-less Bobby Brady figure. If you can't make tonight's screening, which also includes stellar shorts by the likes of Gus Van Sant and Vanessa Renwick, I can at least offer an online version of Creamery Birds and several other films in the sidebar at right.

Meanwhile, I'm off to a last-minute architectural tour of Chicago by boat, eager to get closeup glances at the 'corncob' towers, Mies Van der Rohe's IBM headquarters, and the landmark Wrigley building.

Comments

[Hilary Pfeifer]

Have fun and stay warm--I think that architectual tour is one of the best things to do in Chicago. If you have a chance, go visit the IIT campus designed by Van der Rohe and later Rem Koolhaas.

[Aneeda]

And how does one sign up for this event?

[Aneeda]

How does one sign up for this event?

[cityscope]

No need to sign up if you want to attend. Donations are accepted at the door, but not required. If you are interested in presenting in the future, speak with one of the organizers on Monday, or email info@projectcityscope.org.

[kalliope]

A similar event was held called Ignite Portland, http://www.igniteportland.com/, a couple of weeks back. It was a great event at the W&K space. Another is planned for early 2008. Personally speaking, having to sit through many powerpoint presentations that exceed 80 slides, and guilty of creating a few of my own lengthy ones, it's refreshing to know that the "20 Slide" movement is gaining momentum!!

[cityscope]

Hurrah for brevity!

[Aneeda]

Did anyone go to this? Was it worth going to next time?

[Brian Libby]

Aneeda, the place was totally packed - about 200 in a really small space. The presentations were very diverse. The first guy presented findings from his thesis on Bankok and Istanbul. Another guy read his fiction and showed images of empty apartments. I showed vacation slides. Then Jeff Stuhr of Holst Architecture showed images of new buildings expected to change the skyline, and a woman from a homeless youth facility showed pictures of some of her clients. Great stuff! The next one, I believe, is scheduled for February.