Next PechaKucha Vancouver looks at West Coast Modernism

June 6th, 2011

In addition to Ignite and TEDx events, I’m also a big fan of PechaKucha.

PechaKucha Night was devised in Tokyo in February 2003 as an event for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public.

Image of PechaKucha wordmark and logo

It has turned into a massive celebration, with events happening in hundreds of cities around the world, inspiring creatives worldwide. Drawing its name from the Japanese term for the sound of “chit chat”, it rests on a presentation format that is based on a simple idea: 20 images x 20 seconds. It’s a format that makes presentations concise, and keeps things moving at a rapid pace.

PechaKucha Vancouver #17

The logo for the spevial edition of Pecha Kucha Vancouver on West Coast Modernism on june 23rdThe next PechaKucha Night Vancouver is a special edition.  The theme of the evening will be West Coast Modernism. it is being held in partnership with the West Vancouver Museum + Archives and produced by Cause + Affect.

As usual, each presenter will have 20 images displayed for 20 seconds each. This gives them 6 minutes and 40 seconds. Then the lights dim and the next presenter comes on stage. The format keeps the evening fresh and humming along. It also gives the audience an overview of what some to the leading minds in the city are thinking and doing.

This edition will bring together twelve culturally minded architects, designers, writers and artists. Each of their works uniquely express an aesthetic that is found on the West Coast. See the full speaker list below.


West Coast Modernism

As long time readings know, one of my guilty pleasures is mid-century modernism.  While arguably antithetical to a walkable compact urbanism, mid-century modernism undeniably contributes a city’s sense of place. This is particularly true of younger western cities like Phoenix and Vancouver.

I am already intimately familiar with the desert school of mid-century modernism as exemplified in Phoenix and Palm Springs. But this will be my first real exposure to the ins-and-outs of west coast modernism. I’m super stoked!.

I’m especially looking forward to seeing filmmakers Michael Bernard and Gavin Froome present. They collaborated to produce a film on Coast Modern architecture from Los Angeles to Vancouver.  Here’s a trailer:

 

Details

Pecha Kucha Night volume 17
Thursday, June 23, 7pm,
Vogue Theatre (918 Granville),
Tickets $15. On sale now and expected to go quickly: www.voguetheatre.com

Presenters