What is PechaKucha 20x20?
PechaKucha 20x20 is a beautifully simple presentation format where you show 20 images, each for 20 seconds. The images advance automatically and you talk along to the images.
Who invented the format?
The presentation format was devised by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham of Klein Dytham architecture. The first PechaKucha Night was held in Tokyo in their gallery/lounge/bar/club/creative kitchen, SuperDeluxe, in February, 2003. Klein Dytham architecture still organize and support the global PechaKucha Night network and organize PechaKucha Night Tokyo.
Why invent this format?
Because architects talk too much! Give a microphone and some images to an architect -- or most creative people for that matter -- and they'll go on forever! Give PowerPoint to anyone else and they have the same problem.
What are PechaKucha Nights?
PechaKucha Nights are informal and fun gatherings where creative people get together and share their ideas, works, thoughts, holiday snaps -- just about anything, really -- in the PechaKucha 20x20 format. Every PechaKucha Night city is hosted by a local organiser, who has an annual Handshake Agreement with PechaKucha HQ to run their event series. This ensures that each PechaKucha Night is relevant to their city- and can create a unique platform to uncover that city's creativity.
Why have PechaKucha Nights gone viral globally?
With PechaKucha Nights in over 1,200 cities around the world, we have discovered that most cities—not just Tokyo—have virtually no public spaces where people can show and share their work in a relaxed way. If you have just graduated from college and finished your first project in the real world, where can you show it? It probably won't get into a magazine, and you don't have enough photos for a gallery show or a lecture, but PechaKucha is the perfect platform to show and share your work.
Where are PechaKucha Nights held?
PechaKucha Nights are mostly held in fun spaces with a bar, similar to the home of PechaKucha Night, SuperDeluxe, which is a space for “thinking and drinking.” To date, PechaKucha Nights have been held in bars, restaurants, clubs, beer gardens, homes, studios, universities, churches, prisons (disused), beaches, swimming pools, even a quarry!
Who can present?
Anyone can present—this is the beauty of PechaKucha Nights. Astrid's daughter presented when she was 5 (about her artwork) and Mark's mother presented when she was 69 (about her elaborate wedding cake creations).
What can people present?
The key to a great presentation is to present something you love. Most people use PechaKucha Night to present their latest creative projects or work. Some people share their passion and show their prized collection of Nana Mouskouri records, while others share photos of their latest visit to a construction site or their recent holiday snaps. We always recommend people go and see a PechaKucha Night before they ask to present to get a good feel for what it's all about.
What makes a good PechaKucha?
Good PechaKucha presentations are the ones that uncover the unexpected -- unexpected talent, unexpected ideas. Some PechaKuchas tell great stories about a project or a trip. Some are incredibly personal, some are incredibly funny, but all are very different, and they turn each PechaKucha Night into “a box of chocolates.”
Who runs PechaKucha Nights?
Each PechaKucha Night is run by a city organizer. They are more like stewards, who look after the PechaKucha spirit in each city. All PKN organizers must have a regular day job and they run PechaKucha Nights only for the inspiration, love, and fun of it. They mostly come from the creative fields. The PKN organizer is usually supported by a big team of volunteers -- when it comes to putting on a PechaKucha Night, the more helping hands the better. The global PechaKucha network is organized and supported by Klein Dytham architecture.