Pecha Kucha What?

Pecha Kucha What?

by Patricia Blom

A couple of days ago my good friend emailed me: “Hello you. Come to Pecha Kucha tomorrow night.” I didn’t want to pretend that I knew what she was talking about, so I did what I do best and Googled it! To my absolute delight I discovered this fantastic movement and a broad description followed on their website (see link below). Pecha Kucha was devised in Tokyo, Japan. I have always been the hugest fan of Japan, its art, culture, cuisine, landscapes and most of all, design.

Initially these evenings were organised as an event for designers to meet and network and of course, to show their work in public. I had a prior arrangement (in short, supporting my son through exams), so I had to take a rain check. By this I mean that come hell or high water, I’ll be there, in the front row next time round. It is a fantastic concept, as I often feel that networking in Cape Town needs a lot of effort and you normally need to know the ‘right people’. This way however, one can meet unconditionally, mingle, network, and see what’s happening out there. My role as Creative Director here at Rothko requires me to be on top of trends, and what better way than chit chatting with the young ones and sharing ideas. I checked out the site and viewed some of their previous events. The previous 20X20 second speakers have ranged from renowned muso’s ie David Kramer; Clinton Smith, the master behind Cosmesis Prosthetics Studio and then there’s Adin van Ryneveld, aka the no money guy.

Enough raving already. Check them out for yourself: read more on http://www.pecha-kucha.org/