PechaKucha-Worcester

INSPIRE JAPAN

2011-04-15T21:54:00.000-04:00

Pecha Kucha INSPIRE JAPAN 24 hour Fundraiser:
http://global-day.pecha-kucha.org/

PK Worcester wanted to express our collective empathy and encouragement to the Japanese people and put all our sentiments together in this video greeting.
Thank you to presenters:
Agnes Wyant, Tom Grady, Helen Beaumont, J Stu Esty, Lennie Peterson, Keith Cross, Derek Ring, Jonathan Hansen, Louie Despres, Thomas Caywood, DJ Karleboy and Donna Dufault for making this video possible.

PK 7 Summary

2011-03-26T12:17:00.007-04:00

More than 100 guests came out to Ralph's Chadwick Diner on Sunday March 20 for another fun night. We are proud to continue to showcase venues from all around the city that host creativity on a daily basis. Yes, PechaKucha Worcester was in a rock club and it was awesome!

At PK 7 we heard about social issues like petroleum use, nicotine secession and public school budget cuts. We also heard from artists about thier inspirations who lightened the evening with colorful humor and imagery.

Enjoy this video of Jon Hansen's presentation. Are you ready for art class?

video by Tom Caywood

You can view more pictures from our events here:
pknworcester on flickr
This is a public group so feel free to join and share with everyone your pictures from the event.

Thank you to everyone who contributed donations, we have just sent the Red Cross $200 toward relief in Japan. Additional donations can be sent here Red Cross. Stay tuned for information about how Worcester will play a part in the upcoming global PechaKucha relief effort for Japan.

Thanks Again! We had a blast!

Presenter Lynne Damianos

2011-03-20T09:54:00.002-04:00

Lynne Damianos
Biography

Lynne Damianos is the principal photographer of Damianos Photography, a small award-winning creative team that has provided distinctive photography and photographic consulting services for over 30 years. She earned her BS in Professional Photography from Rochester Institute of Technology. Her specialties include photography of architecture and interiors, products and people for business.

Lynne is an active educator, presenting a wide variety of photography seminars to professionals, students and companies. She is a faculty member of the Danforth Museum and Keefe Tech Continuing Education in Framingham. In 2004 she was a photographer-in-residence with the Holliston and Framingham High School as part of a grant project titled Capturing Architecture Past and Present.

Lynne is a former national board member of the American Society of Media Photographers, past president of the Commercial Industrial Photographers of New England and an active member of Fountain Street Studios in Framingham’s Bancroft mill building where her studio is located. She is currently mentoring one of the first female professional photographers in Afghanistan as part of the Thunderbird School of Global Management’s Project Artemis program.

Lynne is the author/photographer of The Bancroft Building – 100 Years of History and has recently developed a line of DigiGreyShop products to aid photographers and videographers in achieving accurate color/white balance.

Her personal work includes two series of photographs – NatureScapes and BuildingScapes – which show details of natural subjects and the built environment in an abstract, vibrant way.

http://www.damianosphotography.com/pages/book.htm
http://www.damianosphotography.com/

Presenter Nat Needle

2011-03-20T09:43:00.004-04:00

Nat Needle has lived in Worcester, MA since 2000, and co-owns SAORI Worcester Freestyle Weaving Studio with his wife Mihoko Wakabayashi. They home-educate their two sons, Asa, 15, and Noriyoshi, 11, not only within the bosom of their bi-lingual, bi-cultural family, but also by sending them out into the world as much as possible. Nat has worked with other people's children of all ages for decades, both in and out of school settings. His work at SAORI Worcester often involves making connections between the ancient art of weaving and academic disciplines including language arts, math, science, geography and history. He holds a doctorate in Education from UMass/Amherst, and is also a professional pianist, vocalist, and entertainer.

http://saoriworcester.com/

A Sentiment for the Japanese People

2011-03-16T09:07:00.003-04:00

copyright Lennie Peterson

Image designed by PechaKucha Worcester Vol 2 presenter Lennie Peterson.

"Because I don't know what else to do, I created the image seen in my profile pic for my comic strip at GoComics and it will run tomorrow through Friday. If anything/any widespread use should come of the image, I'll donate all proceeds to the Red Cross. God bless the dignity and grace of the Japanese people." Lennie Peterson

Presenter Jonathan Hansen

2011-03-10T21:19:00.005-05:00

Publik Edyookayshun by Jonathan Hansen

Jonathan has been a teacher of the visual arts for 7 years in the Mendon-Upton School District. For his first four years he taught grades 9 through 12 at Nipmuc Regional High School, preparing students for college while introducing engaging lessons while teaching heterogeneous classes made up of students taking Art 1 and 2 and Elective classes. He has been the Art teacher at Miscoe Hill Middle School for the past three years, teaching 5th and 6th Grade after his position was eliminated due to budget cuts in 2008. This school year, he has been reduced to part-time and has begun to learn the art of tattooing under Ben Mack and the guys at Dark World Gallery & Tattoo, where he also curates monthly art shows. Jonathan is a graduate of The Art Institute of Boston (1999) with a BFA in Fine Art and Salem State University (2008) with a Masters of Education Degree.

www.jonathanhansenart.com
www.darkworldgallery.com
www.outofthedarkworldtattoo.com

Presenter Ryan Coffman

2011-03-10T21:16:00.005-05:00

Ryan Coffman presenting:
The Tobacco Industry: Behind the Smoke and Mirrors

Bio:

Ryan Coffman, MPH, CHES, CTTS-M is a Tobacco Treatment Specialist and the Director of the Tobacco Consultation Service at a local hospital where he provides tobacco cessation consultation to patients at several sites. Ryan acquired his Masters in Public Health (MPH) degree at Tulane University and has certifications in health education, nicotine dependency treatment and global tobacco control. He first became committed to tobacco control in 2003 while serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kenya where he observed the effects of tobacco use and the Tobacco Industry on the village and surrounding communities where he resided. This is also the time when he quit his own substantial tobacco use. He takes particular interest in enhancing the capacity of other professionals and colleagues through training and teaching. He has also worked and volunteered with senior, youth, community, and mental health and substance using populations.

http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com

photo of Ryan Coffman by S.Holloway

Back on Stage PKN Worcester Vol 7

2011-03-10T20:23:00.007-05:00

Pecha Kucha Worcester returns with an epic Pecha Kucha event

Pecha Kucha Worcester Vol. 7, featuring an eclectic and electric set of local thinkers, doers, and artists, is set for March 20th at the legendary and infamous Ralph’s Chadwick Diner. Doors for the event open at 6:20; presentations will start at 7:20. Free tickets are available at worcesterPK.eventsbot.com, and donations will be accepted at the door.

Pecha Kucha is the international phenomenon that brings together all types of "creatives" for a night of rapid-fire "show-and-tells," networking, conversation, and fun. The diverse group of presenters focus on their passions while sticking to Pecha Kucha's patented high-energy formula: 20 slides in 20 seconds each. The 6 minute and 40 second format keeps the momentum flowing and the energy high.

“We’re proud to have another outstanding lineup of passionate, creative people on tap for March 20th,” said Co-Organizer Cynthia Woehrle.

Worcester's 7th Pecha Kucha will feature tattoo artists, photographers, revolutionary thinkers, doers, and a host of other creators from the Worcester area.

“I continue to be in awe of the range of presenters we’ve been able to put together over the past two years,” said Co-Organizer Scott Zoback. “The depth of talent and, most importantly, passion, in this area is limitless. Now, if we could just agree on how to pronounce the name...”

Pecha Kucha Night, devised by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham (Klein Dytham architecture), was conceived in 2003 in Tokyo as a place for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public. That demand seems to be global – as Pecha Kucha Night has spread to nearly 400 cities around the world. Worcester, the 196th city networked into this global community, presented its first volume on June 14th 2009 at Bocado Tapas Bar.

For more information contact pkn.worcester@gmail.com

Presenter Profile: Joanna Duncan

2010-09-24T08:54:00.007-04:00

We are excited to announce that Joanna Duncan has joined the line up for Sunday nights event! Presenting on: "Innovation"- brainstorming high end performance genres into Movement as Metaphor

Several students from the North Grafton dance studio "Dance It Up" are performing with the Hybrid Movement Company in the Dec 4th production of "Clara's Dream" at the Hanover Theatre. Join us on Sept 26th to learn what goes on behind the scenes of this new aerial dance art form.

Joanna Duncan A.R.A.D. Solo Seal
Director Dance Artist Management
Royal Academy of Dance Teacher
Artistic Director Dance It Up!

"Art changes people......
people change the world"

Presenter Profile: Tom Grady

2010-09-21T12:09:00.001-04:00

Presenter Tom Grady:
Over the summer Tom curated the "Drawn to Life" exhibit at ARTSWorcester about which he wrote:
"The common thread among all the work is an affirmation of existence, a new humanism, which includes both the beautiful and the ugly. Visible and invisible reality holds equal importance and the artist is free to make work that speaks to both."

The idea of humanism is also reflected in Tom's personal body of work. Learn more about this and his other influences at PechaKucha Night Vol 6 at The Hanover Theatre.

Tom's Bio:

Tom studied at The Rhode Island School of Design (BFA, Illustration) and the Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University (MFA, Visual Art). He is currently visiting assistant professor of studio art at Assumption College in Worcester Massachusetts teaching drawing and painting. He also teaches youth and adult classes at the Worcester Art Museum.

Tom’s oil paintings focus on the revisioning of the figure through a quiet restrained contemplation, which collides with a sensuous painterly approach. The tension between the mundane and the provocative the unconscious and the conscious is the setting for the psychological narrative confronting the viewer. His work will be featured in a solo exhibition at the Copley Society of Art in Boston starting October 14 through November 12.

TOMGRADYSTUDIO.COM

Presenter Profile: Don Hartmann

2010-09-20T16:02:00.016-04:00

photo © Louie Despres

Don Hartmann's work is known as edgy and contemporary which lead him to being named a 2010 Worcester Arts Counsel Fellow. The works resulting from that fellowship are on exhibit through ARTSWorcester at the Aurora Gallery. This exhibit entitled "Love Hope Sex Dreams" was reviewed by J Fatima Martins of Worcester Magazine:

"His portraits are beautifully ugly emotive works that exemplify the German neo-expressionism mode—raw and salacious, influenced in concept and form by artists such as Anselm Kiefer and Eric Fischl...

The compositions are fabricated arrangements informed by a variety of pop-culture sources, avant-garde art movements and everyday situations. It’s a process Hartmann jokingly refers to as “dumpster diving.” The themes are communicated through ridiculously smart, sometimes creepy narratives that blend parody, metaphor, fantasy and reality into autobiographical stories that convey the artist’s intimate perspectives." J Fatima Martins

Hear him speak at PKN Sept 26th and see his work at ARTSWorcester where it is available for purchase through Sept 24th, 2010.

video by Stephen DiRado.

Presenter Profile: Thomas Caywood

2010-09-17T16:21:00.000-04:00

PechaKucha Topic:
"Investigative Journalism: How to make powerful enemies and get lots of hate mail"

Bio:

Thomas Caywood is a newspaper reporter. He cringes when people call him “The Media.” The Media get paid way more than him, wear suits, read from Teleprompters and often berate other members of The Media on cable television. As an investigative reporter for the Telegram and Gazette, Caywood has taken on projects ranging from exposing local impostors and conmen to probing troubling ties between mobsters and the region’s wealthiest man to penetrating the Byzantine tangle of mortgage-backed securities obscuring who is responsible for foreclosed properties blighting the city.

His story about how a prisoner with ties to a wealthy bank president, who in turn has ties to the county sheriff, got seemingly special treatment in jail won first place in the 2010 New England Associated Press awards in the investigative reporting category. Caywood also won first place in the “Right to Know” category this year for his work prying loose police internal affairs files on an officer accused of numerous cases of brutality and other misconduct.

An avid fan of Worcester music and arts, Caywood has been a journalist for 14 years and previously worked as a general assignment reporter for the Boston Herald and MetroWest Daily News of Framingham as well as other newspapers in Massachusetts and Louisiana. He grew up in the Washington, D.C., and San Diego areas and is a veteran of the U.S. Army. He served in the 1991 Gulf War with the 197th Infantry Brigade of Fort Benning, Ga. A graduate of Auburn University, Caywood now lives in downtown Worcester, where he stubbornly refuses to give up on becoming a decent guitar player.

Presenter Profile: Jeremy Bell

2010-09-15T18:46:00.000-04:00

Presenting:

"How Absinthe made the art grow stronger"

Rudolphe Salis is the proprietor of the Black Cat Café 'Chat Noir' in Paris. He comes to us from the 1880's to explain how Absinthe changed the art world forever!

The Knight of Toasting
"Toastmaster International and Scottish comedian Sir Jeremy Bell has toasted the likes of Clint Eastwood, Rudi Giuliani and Regis Philbin; has given seminars for Wolfgang Puck and Emeril Lagasse; interviewed for the Food Channel and Good Morning America; and bagpiped for Susan Sarandon and Julia Roberts!"
from Maninaskirt.com

Join us at PechaKucha Vol 6 has he raises his glass to the wonder and the art of absinthe. RSVP today for this FREE event.

Presenter Profile: Marc Morin

2010-09-09T22:47:00.004-04:00

Presenter Marc Morin will be exhibiting his works at the Hanover. ARTSWorcester will host an artist reception which is immediately preceeding Pecha Kucha Night. So stop by the opening and then head into PK!
Artist’s Reception: Sunday, September 26, 2010 from 5:30 – 7:00 pm at the Franklin Square Society Salon Gallery.

Marc Morin, 25, graduated from the Art Institute of Boston (AIB) with the honor of Best Show in Fine Arts in 2007. Since then he as shown in Boston, Springfield and Central Massachusetts in both group and solo shows. In 2006, while a student at AIB, Marc studied painting for a semester abroad in Florence, Italy. Marc’s experience in Italy had monumental influence on his work. Although the paintings echo and reflect his life experiences and even his mood, the paintings are a world onto themselves.

The progression of the work in this show is held together by the genre of landscape. The landscapes reflect the fusion of the emotion and the external reality of a moment in life. As such, they are a landscape of the mind; a clearing of the path that leads the body home. A memory in the mind has both the specificity and vagueness of a moment in time. The landscape exists because of what does not exist and is a nostalgic allegory of the origin. We disclose and we conceal what is hidden and unhidden of our origin. An origin that does not exist is forever lost in the visible.

www.marcmorinpainter.com

Presenter Profile: Toni Henneman

2010-09-09T22:16:00.002-04:00

Zentangle - The Fine Art of “doodling”

“Well, I guess you would call me... genus, humanus...” Alice a.k.a. Toni Henneman Artist in Wonderland. I’m a great talker, I LOVE to talk… just not about myself. SO, here are just the facts:

The Relevant Stuff –

My name is Toni Henneman. I am a Certified Zentangle Teacher trained by Rick Roberts and Marie Thomas, founders of the Zentangle art form. And I have been teaching it for almost a year.

The Technical Stuff –

I am the Marketing Manager for Davis Publications. I passionately believe that everyone is an artist and that creativity is everyone’s birthright.

The Fun Stuff –

I have a wonderful husband and two amazing teenage boys. I am a watercolor artist with a degree in Graphic Design and Illustration. I’m a perfectionist, purple is my favorite color, I collect shoes, dishes and patterns.

The Presentation Stuff -

In terms of Zentangle, “Doodle” is a four letter word. Defined as, "the act of drawing something aimlessly or absent mindedly" doodling could not be further from Zentangle. If you look at any completed Zentangle you will see nothing but "deliberate strokes" purposefully executed to create a beautiful end product. It is also happens to be the perfect door for people that do not believe they have any artistic ability. As an artist and strong supporter of art education, I believe it is my responsibility to open that door to as many people as will listen and want to experience the benefits of creating. Educated, trained and working in the field, I am lucky enough to understand the benefits of having art in my life. Zentangle allows everyone - especially those untrained - to understand the benefits of having art in their lives as well. I'm just sharing the wealth!

Presenter Profile: Keenan Cassidy

2010-09-09T11:14:00.000-04:00

Keenan Cassidy, the youngest speaker we've presented at Pecha Kucha Worcester, is a little more grown up than we are showing you here... but isn't he cute?

Although he is just starting his junior year in high school; Keenan Cassidy has already built a reputation as a very talented artist. He regularly shows his work in Worcester and in Boston and he's recently designed an album cover for Worcester band Hat On Drinking Wine. Join us on Sept 26th to hear about his adventures as a young artist.

keenancassidy.blogspot.com

Presenter Profile: Heather Adels

2010-09-09T10:32:00.000-04:00

Heather Adels grew up in the small farming town of Princeton, Massachusetts. There, she wandered the acres, picked berries and raised chicks into hens. Much of the artist’s imagery sprung from this early connection to the life cycle continuum. The artist now resides in Providence, Rhode Island where she continues to make art and also to pick berries whenever and wherever they are available.

Heather’s creative works have been displayed at various galleries and juried shows throughout New England. The artist’s recent publication in ArtScope as well as jurors selection for second in show display promise in the artist’s budding career.

The artist graduated with a BFA from Monsterrat College of Art in 1997.

http://www.adelsart.com/

Presenter Profile: Donna Dufault

2010-09-03T22:45:00.000-04:00

Donna Dufault has over 20 years of experience working in the photography industry. She has worked at some of the best photographic printing labs in the country and worked with some of the top art photographers in the world. This experience coupled with years of gallery experience, running art marketing groups and co-coordinating photo workshops has given her a unique perspective into the fine art photography world. The last 4 years she has been working side by side with her husband in his commercial advertising photography business, Erb Photography. And is a founding member of the Worcester Photography Center.

For PechaKucha Night Donna will be presenting a personal project: Photography as a Healing Art

Announcing PK VOL 6

2010-09-01T08:42:00.000-04:00

September 26, 2010
at the Hanover Theatre
rsvp today at:
http://pkworcester.eventsbot.com/

Sponsored in part by ARTSWorcester and the Hanover Theatre
Created and shared by Klein Dytham Architecture

PechaKucha Night FAQ # 9 of 20

09. What makes a good PechaKucha?
Good PechaKucha presentation 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 making each PechaKucha Night like 'a box of chocolates'.

Vol 5 Presenters: Hector Cedillo, Louie Despres

2010-04-25T11:39:00.005-04:00

Hector Cedillo: Painting with Needles

Louie Despres: beyond Five Months

Presenter: Alexander Dunn

2010-04-23T09:12:00.005-04:00

Alexander Dunn is an arts outreach coordinator,member of the Massachusetts Audubon Society, a natural history guide and faculty member of Worcester Art Museum.

Alex's subject for PechaKucha Night:
Boarders, backyards, and maps: putting the Place in art

Presenter Profile: Patrick Sullivan

2010-04-21T14:20:00.005-04:00

Patrick Sullivan

presentation title= Fireworks like you've never seen them before

"My name is Patrick Sullivan I own a computer corporation that has done
extremely well which affords me a tremendous deal of free time so years ago
I started learning photography and am now a professional fireworks
photographer yes it’s a real job and it has allowed me to travel all over
the world and do some of the most amazing things and go places I would never
of gone to otherwise I teach classes on fireworks safety training as well as fireworks photography which I believe is one of the hardest forms of photography there is to really get right I love to talk and will discuss most anything with almost anyone so feel free to ask me anything you would like after the presentation."

Presenter Profile: Liz Sheehan

2010-04-20T18:58:00.003-04:00

Liz K. Sheehan is an independent curator and educator currently living in Worcester. A native of the Philadelphia area, she holds degrees in art history and museum studies from Bowdoin College and Tufts University, and has over 10 years experience working in New England arts institutions, including the Bates College Museum of Art, the Bowdoin College Museum of Art, the Center for Maine Contemporary Art, and the Portland Museum of Art. Liz is an adjunct faculty member at St. Joseph's College of Maine, where she teaches an online survey course in modern art history, and an instructor for the "Frontiers" program at WPI, where she encourages budding scientists to experiment with art. When not planning exhibitions, she can be found dragging her toddler through museums across the Eastern seaboard and blogging about it at www.lizksheehan.com .

PechaKucha Worcester Presentation
"Public Space, Private Interactions"
My work as a curator is greatly informed by audience response and reception. Through a combination of presentation and programming, I try to make exhibitions relevant to as diverse a public as possible.
I am passionate about bringing art into the community, giving the public a forum for discussing and experiencing art, and creating opportunities for contemporary artists to explore the relationship between audience, artwork, and public/private space.

Presenter Profile: Ron Rosenstock

2010-04-17T16:49:00.008-04:00

Ron Rosenstock has traveled the world, has been exhibited and collected in museums and is renowned for his photography. Please join us at Razzo Hall on April 25th to hear Ron's passion for his work through our 20x20 pechakucha format.

image copyright all rights reserved Ron Rosenstock, image source Ronrosenstock.com
To view more of Ron's beautiful imagery visit Ronrosenstock.com

Ron Rosenstock's Resume (in brief)

Born: 1943, Monticello, NY

Education: Goddard College 1976-77 M.A. Degree in Photography
Boston University, 1965-68 A.A. Degree in History
Private Study with Paul Caponigro 1969-71
Private Study with Minor White 1967-68

Work in the permanent art collections of:
The Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University,
Cambridge, MA
The International Center of Photography, NYC
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, MA
Fidelity Investments, Boston, MA
The Castlebar Urban District Council,
Co. Mayo, Ireland
Torre Guelfa Gallery, Florence, Italy
Villa Rosa Gallery, San Leolino, Italy
The Worcester Art Museum, Worcester, MA
.
Selected Published works:
JOURNEYS, A book of fifty photographs by
Ron Rosenstock. Introduction by B.A. King.
Published by the Silver Strand Press, 2007

Hymn to the Earth, A book of forty-two photographs by
Ron Rosenstock. Introduction by Carl Chiarenza.
Published by the Silver Strand Press, 2003

The Light of Ireland, A book of twenty-six
photographs by Ron Rosenstock. Introduction by Paul
Caponigro. Published by the Silver Strand Press, 1999

Chiostro, Photographs of Italy, A book off forty-two
photographs by Ron Rosenstock. Published by the
Silver Strand press, 2001

Presenter Profile: Suzy Becker

2010-04-17T16:39:00.005-04:00

Suzy Becker is an author, artist and entrepreneur, Suzy Becker began her career as an award-winning advertising copywriter, and then founded the Widget Factory, a greeting card company. She entered the world of books with what would become the internationally bestselling All I Need to Know I Learned from My Cat, now in the Double-Platinum Collector's Edition All I Need to Know I Learned from My Cat (And Then Some). Suzy has since written and illustrated The All Better Book, My Dog's the World's Best Dog, I Had Brain Surgery, What's Your Excuse?, Manny's Cows, Books Are for Reading, and Kids Make It Better (May, 2010). Her books, greeting cards and work in print and TV advertising have earned her numerous design and writing awards.

Suzy Becker has also received the Anti-Defamation League's "A World of Difference" Award for her community service initiatives, including the Ride For AIDS Resources (www.ridefar.org), the country's first HIV/AIDS bike-a-thon which has raised over $1,000,000 for HIV/AIDS service organizations.

Becker was New England Women Business Owners' youngest-ever Woman of the Year. She is a former (Clinton) White House Fellow, a Bunting Fellow at Radcliffe, and she is a perennial finalist in the Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes. For more about Suzy Becker, visit www.suzybecker.com

Suzy's PechaKucha Presentation:

I like to think of life as a medium. So far, I’ve made ads, cards, cartoons, a kid, books, a small business, a charter school, a marriage, and a million-dollar HIV/AIDS fundraiser with mine.

Vol 5 at Razzo Hall, April 25th 2010

2010-04-17T16:13:00.010-04:00

The Worldwide Pecha Kucha phenomenon has been sweeping Worcester for the past year, attracting capacity crowds to watch and listen to some of Central Massachusetts' most creative and interesting presenters.

Drawing its name from the Japanese phrase for the sound of conversation ("chit chat"), the PechaKucha format is simple – 20 images x 20 seconds – and designed to keep presentations concise and moving at a rapid pace.

Sunday night is sure to be a fantastic time---look forward to seeing you there!

Come see what all the chit chat is about!

Sunday, April 25, 2010
7:20pm - 11:20pm
Razzo Hall/Clark University Worcester, MA
Seating limited to first 190 people. Razzo Hall is located at 92 Downing Street Worcester Ma

RSVP on Facebook: Pecha Kucha Worcester Vol 5

Coming soon...Vol 5 April 25

2010-04-16T15:06:00.000-04:00

Featuring presentations by Ron Rosenstock, Suzy Becker, Liz Sheehan, Toni Henneman...
stay tuned for details

Follow up on Global Day for Haiti

2010-03-11T14:14:00.003-05:00

Your help is making a differance! Thank you!

A Message from PK HQ:
So we have raised enough money for Architecture for Humanity to build a school in Haiti!

YES!

On the 20th February 2010, the 7th anniversary of PechaKucha Night, 117 cities came together on a single day and held events across the globe to support Architecture for Humanity's plans for rebuilding in Haiti. Other PechaKucha events for Haiti during February took this total to 174, and with cities still holding PKN events for Haiti in March this total will top 200.

Today - 20 days later - it gives us great pride in announcing that the PechaKucha global network of cities, organizers, presenters and fans has raised over $60,000 which allows Architecture For Humanity to build the first PechaKucha School in Haiti.

This just in from Cameron Sinclair:

Our team arrived in Haiti last week, and we will know more about specific costs in the next few weeks. Our preliminary estimates for school costs are:

Basic Costs
Main Teaching Blocks (3) $30,000
Toilet Block (1) $5,000
Cafeteria $15,000
Teachers Room $5,000
Landscaping/Reforestation $5,000

Total: $60,000

We will know more about volunteer needs also in the next few weeks but probably won't have volunteers there until the summer or later, so we will keep you posted on this.

Really looking forward to seeing all the 100's of presentations online in the next few weeks. Good luck with the uploading!

Thank you for organizing such an amazing event!

Cameron Sinclair
Architecture for Humanity

PechaKucha Night for Haiti - the world's biggest distributed conference.

With over 200 PechaKucha events taking place for the rebuilding of Haiti in February and March we have generated well over 1000 presentations which we will be putting online in the next few weeks. In doing this, we are being told that PechaKucha Night for Haiti has become the world's biggest single distributed conference to date - and no one flew anywhere, no cars were rented and no silly shampoo bottles were used!

The first 30 presentations are already online and we have some really amazing content.

The PechaKucha Presentations for Haiti will build here:

http://pecha-kucha.org/presentations/channels/pechakucha-for-haiti

New presentations will be added daily, and you can donate to any of the presentations. You can optionally leave your name, so show your personal support for the presentations you like. Why not have a glass of water and watch a presentation and donate the cost of your coffee to building our 2nd school!

Some presentations are about Haiti pre and post earthquake, some about earthquake response, some about tsunami response, some are about rebuilding, some about why not to send tents to disaster areas. Some presentations do not relate to Haiti directly, but are about passions, obsessions, love and hates - but all the presentations were given to support the rebuilding in Haiti.

Please look at the presentations and give generously and please send the presentations you like to your friends and encourage them to donate too. Please use the '< >' tag to embed them into your blogs and web pages! If every presentation viewed generated a few dollars we would soon be looking at several new schools!

Just to help you get started viewing the PechaKucha for Haiti Distributed Conference Archive, here's 20 presentations to get you going!

Cameron Sinclair
Architecture For Humanity Rebuilding Haiti
PechaKucha SAN FRANCISCO
http://www.pecha-kucha.org/presentations/83

Amanda Roelle
Rebuilding after the 2004 tsunami
PechaKucha CHICAGO
http://pecha-kucha.org/presentations/59

Mark Taylor
Building in Haiti
PechaKucha CHAMPAIGN URBANA
http://pecha-kucha.org/presentations/55

Nadia Lemoine Andre
Haiti - The Pearl of the Antillies
PechaKucha CHICAGO
http://pecha-kucha.org/presentations/56

GEA-SAR
GEA-SAR arrived in Port Au Prince-Haiti, from Turkey 57 hours after the Haiti Eartquake.
PechaKucha ISTANBUL
http://pecha-kucha.org/presentations/82

Johan Karlsson
No tents please we are Swedish
PechaKucha STOCKHOLM
http://pecha-kucha.org/presentations/62

David Wimmer
Rebuilding after the Samoan tsunami
PechaKucha RAGLAN
http://pecha-kucha.org/presentations/65

Vaishali Katyarmal
Crumbles Hopes - after the Gujarat earthquake, Western India, 2001
PechaKucha CHICAGO
http://pecha-kucha.org/presentations/57

Scott Thomas
Designing Obama
PechaKucha CHAMPAIGN URBANA
http://pecha-kucha.org/presentations/67

Nicolas Uribe (in Spanish)
''better than Picasso''
PechaKucha BOGOTA
http://pecha-kucha.org/presentations/74

Noriyuki Shiina (in Japanese)
Japan Platform in Haiti
PechaKucha TOKYO
http://pecha-kucha.org/presentations/60

John Manoochehri
Unmake Me Whole - How do we unmake the world around us?
PechaKucha STOCKHOLM
http://pecha-kucha.org/presentations/73

Brian LeBarton & Francesco Valentino
Masses
PechaKucha TOKYO
http://pecha-kucha.org/presentations/52

Katherine Darnstadt
Design Like You Give a Damn
PechaKucha CHICAGO
http://pecha-kucha.org/presentations/54

Filipe Balestra
Acupuncture architecture & urban village
PechaKucha STOCKHOLM
http://pecha-kucha.org/presentations/70

Melissa Withers
A New Paradigm for Civic Engagement
PechaKucha CHAMPAIGN URBANA
http://pecha-kucha.org/presentations/81

Anders Wilhelmson
PeePoo - a single use toilet that weighs only 40 grams
PechaKucha STOCKHOLM
http://pecha-kucha.org/presentations/61

Peter Exley
Leeds, Leeds, Leeds, Cheap Trick, Leeds
PechaKucha CHICAGO
http://pecha-kucha.org/presentations/66

Anna Maria Orru
In praise of the Namibian fog basking beetle
PechaKucha STOCKHOLM
http://pecha-kucha.org/presentations/64

Astrid Klein & Mark Dytham
Global PechaKucha Night for Haiti - THANK YOU
PechaKucha TOKYO
http://pecha-kucha.org/presentations/71

All PechaKucha Haiti presentations can be found here
http://pecha-kucha.org/presentations/channels/pechakucha-for-haiti

All PechaKucha presentations
http://pecha-kucha.org/presentations/

Please check back daily for new presentations and sign up for to twitter for up to the minute presentation postings!

Twitter
http://twitter.com/pechakucha

Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/PechaKucha/158363636498

Thank you all so much - Haiti loves you!

Astrid Klein, Mark Dytham & the PechaKucha Global Team in Tokyo

PK Headquarters hears from PK Concepcion

2010-03-05T14:22:00.000-05:00

Glad to hear that PK organizer in Concepcion is keeping a positive outlook. You can read her note on the PK Daily blog.
http://pecha-kucha.org/daily/2010/03/05/following-up-in-concepcion/
If you would like to help relief efforts in Chile you can donate directly to the Concepcion and Santiago city pages.
http://www.pecha-kucha.org/night/concepcion/
http://pecha-kucha.org/night/santiago/

Vol. 4 Presenter Profile: Andrea Ajemian

2010-02-20T08:00:00.003-05:00

Presentation Topic: The Amazing Talent in Hollywoo.

By making films in Worcester, I've found amazing visual artists, writers, actors, and musicians, who together get to showcase their talents on screen. Providing opportunities for local artists is my passion.

Andrea Ajemian - Film Producer/Actress

Andrea has produced four feature length films in the last eight years. Her first two features, Rutland, USA and Freedom Park, won multiple film-festival awards and ran in select theaters in New England. She produced the award winning teen drama Still Green, which was released nationally on DVD in October of 2009 through Osiris Entertainment. Andrea produced and edited her latest film, BoyBand, which was shot entirely in Massachusetts during the summer of 2008. A teen comedy about the first ever boyband set in 1982, the film stars: Robert Hoffman (Step Up II, She's the Man), Michael Copon (Scorpion King II, One Tree Hill), Ryan Hansen (Veronica Mars, Party Down), Ming Na (The Joy Luck Club, ER), Kurt Fuller (Ray, The Pursuit of Happiness, Alias), and more. The film recently screened for distributors in Los Angeles. Andrea was profiled in the Boston Globe Sunday Magazine during the summer of 2009, and in addition to producing a number of award-winning short films, she produces/hosts the YouTube honored online travel show about Central, Massachusetts called Worcester Love. Her production company Artigo/Ajemian Films is based in Worcester, Massachusetts. More about her work can be found at: http://www.aafilms.com/

http://www.aafilms.com/
http://www.boybandmovie.com/

Global Day for Haiti is Tomorrow!

2010-02-19T18:40:00.004-05:00

Global PechaKucha Day for Haiti, Worcester Vol 4. is tomorrow!

Doors open tomorrow at 7pm for mingling and drinks.
Presentations Start at 8pm
$20 suggestion donation at the door.

Parking is available at 55 pearl in the lower lot, parking garage as well as on the street.
55 Pearl restaurant opens for dinner at 4 with a tavern menu also available in the lower bar.

We are very excited about tomorrows line up of presenters!

Nicole Valentine, Helen Beaumont, Daniel Burke, Benjamin Caras, Junior Belisea, Andrea Ajemian, Kaz Gamble, and J Stu Esty. Sharing their passion for their community, their art, the ongoing work that needs to be done in Haiti and first hand stories from the ground. This is certainly the broadest scope of topics we've ever offered at PechaKucha Night Worcester.

We are also excited about going LIVE to the World in the global wave on ustream!
watch the 24 hour wave here:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/pechakucha

All this is in the name of GIVING

We understand that many of you may have given already to relief efforts in Haiti but the need is ongoing and becomes more crucial as time passes. The rainy season is soon approaching and with out adequate shelter, disease will spread fast. Architecture for Humanity has a vision for the long term survival of Haiti. You can view their plan for reconstruction here:

http://architectureforhumanity.org/updates/2010-02-18-haiti-quake-a-plan-for-reconstruction

you can also donate online:
http://www.pecha-kucha.org/pechakucha-for-haiti

Spread the word, bring your friends, and Thank You for your continuing enthusiasm for PechaKucha Worcester!

Rebuilding A Future: Giving and presenters Nicole Valentine and Dan Burke

2010-02-16T13:36:00.004-05:00

PechaKucha Worcester Vol 4 is a fundraiser with the aim of rebuilding a future for Haiti.

Even if you are unable to attend on Feb 20th you can still make a donation through First Giving. All the proceeds go directly into Architecture for Humanity's 501c3 account towards actual reconstruction, all the other costs have already been covered!

The evening in Worcester will consist of presentations by artists, community builders, filmmakers...you know, our usual eclectic mix of Worcester Creatives!

Announcing presenters Nicole Valentine and Daniel Burke

Nicole Valentine, Director of Emergency Services/Public Affairs American Red Cross of Central Massachusetts.
Her Topic:
The work to date with Haiti, and how we are working in our community, across the country and around the globe.

Daniel Burke will be presenting 6 min and 40 secs of acoustic grand piano set to images from Architecture for Humanity and Haiti. Thank you to Daniel Burke for his musical vision.

Pecha Kucha for Haiti, Worcester Vol 4 Feb 20th at 55 Pearl
Presentations start at 8pm.

Vol 4 Presenter Profile: Helen Beaumont

2010-02-15T10:16:00.006-05:00

Helen Beaumont
From farming to fashion- How does one visit to an art museum for a child transform their life?
ARTS: the nectar of our community- how it brings our city to life connecting us to each other.

BIO

Helen Sheldon Beaumont lives her life at the intersection of art and commerce. She has spent her 18-year career with the Estee Lauder Companies Inc. blending marketing and successful business development with make-up artistry. Ms. Beaumont is the chair of the Worcester Cultural Commission, a volunteer body dedicated to promoting the cultural affairs of the City of Worcester and allocating hundreds of thousand of dollars in state grants to meet the cultural needs of the city and its community.
Ms. Beaumont was born in Vermont and raised on a farm in rural Ohio, where she began singing in barns and churches at age 5. Brought back to New England a decade ago by her career, she settled in Worcester and quickly became enmeshed in the cultural life of the city. She can be heard performing around New England with the traditional ska band Guns of Navarone and also spreading her beloved gospel-influenced country music to the area by sitting in with other bands.

website links
www.worcestermass.org/wccommission
www.myspace.com/navaronereggae

on FACEBOOK become a Fan of the Worcester Cultural Commission

Cynthia Woehrle is a fan of

Worcester Cultural Commission

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An Important Message from Cameron Sinclair

2010-02-14T12:24:00.006-05:00

A Message from Cameron Sinclair

February 14th, 2010

We include here a message from Architecture for Humanity founder Cameron Sinclair that should give everyone a better idea of what the “Global PechaKucha Day for Haiti” event really means, what’s at stake, and how you can participate.

Haiti Fatigue.

It’s a phrase we will begin to hear over the next few weeks. The fact is more people died in Haiti than in the 12 countries affected by the ‘04 Tsunami. Oh, and rainy season begins in 8 days. So this natural disaster IS a big deal and it’s going to get rough.

We are not the first responders, we’re the last responders and we’re in for the long haul. We estimate having teams in Haiti for 4 years but we will only do that with the financial support of others. Thanks to the amazing Mark Dytham and Astrid Klein we’re going to change that.

We are one week away from launching Pecha Kucha for Haiti – the worlds largest distributed conference. This will be a 24 hour Pecha Kucha (20×20 style) in more than 100 cities – with 2000 presentations. 100% of all donations/proceeds will go towards building schools and community centers in Haiti.

I’d love it if you got involved in some way.

We are looking for a few more (local) speakers?

With more than 100 cities participating there is no need to fly, no dodgy hotel to overnight in and no lost luggage. We’re making all speakers local. You live in NYC, then speak in NYC, If you are in Zilina, Czech – sorry it’s full! | Can’t find your city and are very ambitious? – email Mark Dytham ( mark@klein-dytham.com ) and host one.

*personally after doing DLD, Davos and TED, I’m excited by a conference that doesn’t require 1000+ to fly from one corner of the earth to another. Could this be the future of conferences?

What does a presentation look like?

Maori, The culture of my land
Made in Deptford
The Story So Far (about PK)
Duct Tape Type Face

We are looking for ‘virtual’ presentations?

So you are busy, we understand. Mark and Astrid have a cunning plan. Thanks to sponsors Ustream and Rackspace we can pre-record a presentation and we can show it as we move around the world. Brian LeBarton (Beck) & Francesco Valentino just composed one – music only.

Spare 400 or 20 seconds?

You can be brave and do a full 20×20 (20 slides x 20 seconds = 6 min 40 sec) OR if you are really, really busy – just contribute 20 seconds of audio (and we’ll put in a slide). You can just say something like ‘I’m TKTK and do TKTK. I care about creating a sustainable and economically sound future for Haiti. Let’s Build Back Better with Architecture for Humanity.’

OK, what about someone else’s time?

You all know famous designers, engineers, musicians, artists and other creative spirits. Even celebrities. Admit it. Heck, NYC has Florian Idenburg, Gregg Pasquarelli, Craig Dykers and Iwan Baan to name a few – all talking about what they know best. What’s your city got?

Why so serious?

Look it is our job to be serious. We are immensely fortunate to work alongside communities and build their hopes and dreams. The work isn’t depressing, it is awesome. If you want to present, please be upbeat and speak on the sublime to the ridiculous. No one wants 24 hours of depressing visions, that’s called CNN. So seriously. Entertain, inspire and most importantly – be passionate.

To present email me and I’ll connect you to the right people. cameron@architectureforhumanity.org
To pre-record email Mark Dytham.mark@klein-dytham.com
To attend, show up and make a donation.

By the way this email took you 6 min 40 seconds to read. So you do have the time! (I kid)

Cheers,

Cameron

Chief Eternal Optimist @ Architecture for Humanity
848 Folsom Street, Suite 201, San Francisco, CA 94107-1173
W: 415 963 3511 | M: 646 765 0906

Architecture for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that seeks architectural solutions to humanitarian crisis and brings professional design services to communities in need.

Haiti Reconstruction
Our blueprint for reconstruction
Students Rebuild
PechaKucha Global Day for Haiti – Feb 20th

Vol 4 Presenter Profile: Benjamin Caras

2010-02-13T08:46:00.000-05:00

Topic:

Computer controlled mechanics: How I coaxed my computer to work for me rather than against me.

Benjamin Caras is an artist and metal fabricator who builds computer controlled cutting machines/robots on the cheap, that rapid prototype parts, draw large-scale patterns… and write graffiti.
“This technology changed the way I design, fabricate, and think about art and the process of art making. I'd like to share my discovery of inexpensive, renegade automation and encourage others to explore it for themselves.”

Bio:

Benjamin Caras has his MFA in visual art and digital fabrication from University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He hails from a family with a deep history in the metal’s industry. He draws from his rich industrial background to influence his art.

Websites:

www.artdoxa.com/benjamin <http://www.artdoxa.com/benjamin>
www.ledgerockfab.com <http://www.ledgerockfab.com>

Global PechaKucha Night for Haiti, Worcester Vol. 4

2010-02-10T18:02:00.000-05:00

It only took seconds to destroy so many bright hopes and dreams in Haiti. The 280 city PechaKucha network is joining with Architecture for Humanity to help rebuild Haiti 20 seconds at a time.
Join us around the the world on 20th February for Global PechaKucha Day for Haiti.
20 seconds, 20 images, 200 cities, 2000 presentations, 200,000 people - with the aim to raise $1,000,000 for rebuilding Haiti.

Join us for this epic global event!
Worcester Vol. 4 at 55 Pearl Restaurant
55 Pearl Street Worcester Ma 01608
Saturday Feb 20th 2010 7:00 pm-11:00 pm
Door opens at 7:00pm
$20 suggested donation
100% of the proceeds benefit rebuilding in Haiti
Presentations begin at 8:00 pm
Seating limited to 100 seats
Standing room always available!
Cash Bar
55 Pearl opens at 4:00, for dinner reservations call 508-755-7327

Night includes portions of the 24-hour WAVEcast featuring other participating cities from around the globe.

Read more about about the global effort here: http://www.pecha-kucha.org/pechakucha-for-haiti

Donate Online: http://www.firstgiving.com/pechakucha_for_haiti

Watch the announcement at Tokyo Vol. 68:

Presenter Profile: Matthew Trimble and Garett Hwang

2010-01-21T14:42:00.002-05:00

Presenters Matt Trimble and Garett Hwang:

These designers extraordinaire that hail from MIT's School of Architecture and Planning, aim to take ideas and see them into "progressively more realized forms". Working together with their diverse backgrounds they come up with some fascinatingly intricate products like this lamp:

For Pecha Kucha Night, Garett and Matt will be presenting some of their recent work, focusing on projects that have elicited the development of products. Taking cues from their emergent language and process of making, the design of each product interweaves the framework of established precedents with exploratory methods evoked from the use of CNC prototyping. machines, traditional wood shop tools, and hand-made models.

Matt Trimble and Garett Hwang are the principals of Radlab, Inc, a multidisciplinary design and fabrication consulting firm located in Boston, MA. The scope of Radlab's work includes architecture, design computing, digital fabrication, and product development. These areas are viewed as uniquely distinguishable, and yet distinctly complimentary. At Radlab, opportunities for exercising disciplinary combination's are always on the agenda.

Garett and Matt met in 2004 as graduate students at MIT's School of Architecture and Planning, where among other things, they pursued their mutual interest in computational design and rapid prototyping. Their unique backgrounds serve to promote a rich culture of experimentation, with work experience between them that spans from Ai Wei Wei's FAKE Design in Beijing to Neil M. Denari Architects in Los Angeles.

Presenter Profile: Michael Born

2010-01-20T22:11:00.000-05:00

Special guest speaker from Pecha Kucha Boston #10: Architectural Illustrator Michael Born.

Remember when you used to have fun drawing as a kid? How did everything get so technical? In his work as an architectural illustrator, Michael Born has worked in many different styles. Along the way he has learned that the real goal of illustration is communication. Even the simplest of drawings can spark emotion and engagement in a client or audience.

Michael sparks that emotional connection in a way that photorealism cannot, by melding classic rendering artistry with cutting edge tools including Sketchup, Photoshop and Wacom pen tablets.

He will be presenting on the compelling uses for these techniques, including such surprising applications as an intriguing virtual walking tour of Beacon Hill based on an 1849 murder mystery.

You can follow Michael Born on Twitter and see more of his work here:
http://www.bornillustration.com/Born_Illustration_|_Home.html

http://twitter.com/mikeborn

Michael Born speaking at Pecha Kucha Boston Vol. 10

Presenter Profile: Dr Ellen Perry

2010-01-17T12:25:00.000-05:00

Dr Ellen Perry: Turning Objects into Stories

Ellen Perry is Associate Professor in the Department of Classics at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. She received her Ph.D. in Classical Art and Archaeology from the University of Michigan. Her particular area of research is the art and archaeology of the Roman Empire.Her publications include articles on Roman sarcophagi, the aesthetics of ancient painting and the Roman imitation of Greek art as well as a book *The Aesthetics of Emulation in the Visual Arts of Ancient Rome*, published by Cambridge University Press. Professor Perry currently teaches courses in ancient art and archaeology. She has lived in Italy, Greece, and Germany; led archaeological tours in southern Spain and worked on excavations at Corinth, Greece; Qift, Egypt; and Carthage, Tunisia.

Presenter Profile Brian Burris

2010-01-17T12:11:00.003-05:00

"Black Azrael" image source Burrisworks.com

Since the first time I saw it at The Sprinkler Factory several years ago "Black Azrael" has been one of my favorite paintings. The image is dark, textural, other worldly, a journey through space; artist Brian Burris's technique is so different from my own, experimental, improvised, spontaneous... I've always been fascinated by the process. Whats even more fascinating about this Fire Fighter Soccer Dad is the juxtaposition of his life and career to his philosophy and psychological explorations that he extracts from his paintings. About this contrast writer Julie Grady notes "His double life as a standup, regular guy who saves lives, fights fires, and takes care of his family versus his artistic side, I realized, isn't a double life at all. It's one life. 'Reality is projection,' he said. " Your conscious is just fighting it.' "

For Pecha Kucha Night Brian Burris will be exploring the significance and themes of his paintings and how he attempts to "no less than to affix a living soul onto canvas."

Brian's statement on his presentation:

I usually demure when asked for the guided tour of the psychology of my paintings, unless plied en Bacchanal or by an especially beguiling muse, but when asked if I'd like to participate in Pecha Kucha night, I decided I'd attempt it.
My subject will be no less than to try to shed some light on the significance and themes of my paintings in six minutes, forty seconds or less. Like Mr. Kite on trampoline, I will attempt to elucidate upon Aleatory Technique, Automatic Painting and Modern Man in Search of a Soul (to cop Jung).
'Aleatory' meaning developed by chance, more an unconscious invocation of forms in paint than Jazz or algorithm. From the Latin, alea, the rolling of the dice. This aleatoricism arises from the surreal automatism of my technique, producing what has become, apparently, a recognizable style.
As far as the soul goes, I'll quote James Hillman in saying 'there is an invisible connection within any image that is its soul... Then why not to go on to say "images are souls". We can meet the soul and understand it.' (paraphrasing from Inquiry into Image).
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I'll cross the line into mediumistic automatism, insanity, and attempt no less than to affix a living soul onto canvas... Which is of course what I've been attempting to do all along.

BKB

Bio
Brian Burris has been painting for over twenty years. He is a primitive, in the sense that he is self-taught.
Originally, he more closely identified with the abstract expressionists, with the emphasis on the 'automatic' or subconscious act of painting, the accompanying emotional intensity and the anti-figurative, sometimes violent and grotesque aesthetic.
After a seven-year hiatus from painting, Mr. Burris returned and segued into a more minimalist style seen in color field painters like Clyfford Still, Rothko, and Barnett Newman. He began to explore the parallel themes of automatic and aleatory abstractionism, combining the spiritual and the unconscious in the painting process, the works themselves progressing according to the will of the subconscious and the properties of paint and canvas--thus letting the execution and the subject matter become analogous with where the unconscious meets chance, spirituality meets psychology, and the implications of archetypal awareness and gnostic meaning surface through the medium.
The artist received some attention for his non-traditional artist's statements based in his background in behavioral modification and studies in psychology and religion (including that of non-verbal communication); the effects of hue, declination of line, image juxtaposition compartmentalization on specific areas of the brain, as well as archetypal imagery, Burris explores non-verbal communication of context and emotion through color fields.
In late 2008, Mr. Burris published a book (conceived, written and published in three days), called 'Codex: Fragments & Schemata'. The work was a montage of paintings, artist statements and fragmented graphics meant to invoke the semblance of disinhibiting stimulus, the prose targeting the unconscious, transcending linear formula or understanding. Like the Zen koan, seeking to evoke ‘the forms of an idea of a thing and its aspects, and bring the viewer to succumb to the illusion of the whole’ (to paraphrase Jung), the themes explored run from the Gnosticism to Hillman psychology, metaphysics to the subconscious, and yet are then disavowed by the artist, Judas-like, as fiction.
Brian Burris shows a half-dozen times a year and is currently represented by the commercial Dzian Gallery on Water Street in Worcester Mass. He shows through ArtsWorcester, as well in corporate, institutional and retail settings, and has shown in venues from Cambridge to Northampton. The artist maintains a website: burrisworks.com, which contains links to various related media, news articles, etcetera, as well as information on where to purchase his book.

Presenter Profile: Joseph Farbrook

2010-01-14T12:42:00.000-05:00

Joseph Farbrook
Video sculpture and virtual art installations.

Joseph Farbrook will present a selection of his digital artwork
including video sculptures, digital performance art, and virtual
reality art installations as he explores the intersection of video and
videogame perception.

image source Journal of New Media and Culture

Joseph Farbrook

Biography

Joseph Farbrook grew up in New York City and Santa Fe, raised by his father, a concrete poet, and his mother a painter. Farbrook attended the University of Colorado focusing on performance and narrative, where he wrote electronic music, poetry, and fiction. Becoming interested in a more immersive approach to narrative, he began using computers and the Internet as creative media. Subsequently discovered by the art department, he was offered a fellowship to pursue an MFA in digital art. Working in a visual arts environment, Farbrook began creating electronic installations, interactive video, and virtual reality narratives. He also experimented with media-reflexive live performances mixed with interactive screen projections. Farbrook's latest work explores the intersections between video, video games, and sculpture.

Farbrook exhibits both nationally and internationally. Recent venues include the Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver, La Fabrica Arte Contemporaneo in Guatemala, The International Center of Bethlehem in Palestine, as well as venues in Mexico, Chile, Korea, and the USA. Farbrook is presently an assistant professor of interactive media and game development at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Statement
Scantly a generation ago, moving image screens were restricted to television and cinema and the content was nearly exclusively generated by corporations and conglomerates that dictated the form and aesthetic of what should and should not be seen by the masses.   The content was restricted almost entirely to news and entertainment and limited in scope to what could be sold as a commodity.
Presently, technological advances have given moving image screens an explosion of new forms and possibilities of content.   The moving images produced by the flickering lights of liquid crystal displays can be seen on the huge billboards of Times Square, advertising on the roof of taxi cabs, on supermarket cash registers, ATMs, watches, calculators, cell phones, picture frames, kitchen appliances, music players, cameras, signage, and advertising devices of all kinds.   Although television screens have been around since the thirties and movie screens longer still, it is safe to say that the moving image screen has re-emerged as a new medium and invariably (in accordance with Marshall McLuhan) there is also a new message.

Adding up the hours we spend staring into screens, it could be argued that we are seeing an ever-greater part of our lives mediated by this device.   Virtual Reality has quietly emerged on this side of the screen and embedded itself into our psyches. The collective imagination is to an ever-greater extent being co-opted and aligning itself to the operational workings of this new prosthetic.   It is now a critical time for artists to temper this overwhelming involvement and offer insights into this reality, complete with new paradigms of perception, new ways of seeing into, and through, the ubiquitous screen.

Presenter Profiles: Karl Connolly and Nicole Connolly

2010-01-13T13:31:00.000-05:00

Introducing Karl and Nicole Connolly, presenters for Pecha Kucha Worcester Vol. 3. Nicole loves to inspire people to travel to new places around the world and Karl wants to make you dance!

Karl Connolly "I was born and raised in Ireland and in 1991 after attending one of the first Rave parties in Dublin I became hooked on electronic music.

The then emerging Rave scene was new, fresh, exciting, and the DJs were suddenly being cast in a new light – they were rapidly becoming the new stars.

I was amazed at the way the DJ was controlling the entire room, and the music had a grip on every clubber in the place."

Karl Connolly will be presenting on the history of club DJ'ing as well as the process of mixing music live. ALSO he will be performing for the event! So if you love to dance you don't want to miss 3 Live Dj sets by DJ Karleboy at 7:20, 9 and 10 pm. Lights and sound provided by Funzalo Light and Sound

Nicole Connolly:

Featuring images from 2009 trips to Iceland, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Berlin, Dresden and Heidelberg. Nicole will share her excitement for travel photography, how to she prepares for the trips and some funny stories that happen along the way.

Nicole was born and raised in a small town close to Stuttgart, Germany. As a child she spent her summers in Hungary visiting her grandmother where life on a small farm and the natural beauty of her surroundings left a big impression on her.

"I believe in taking images which use basic colors, natural light, clean lines and simple forms. To achieve a focused and pure picture I like to get very close to my subject and capture the moment when the elements come together in perfect harmony."

"I try to remind myself how important it is not to lose that little bit of a child in me, and look at the world in that curious, innocent and playful manner. I try to incorporate those characteristics into my work."

PKN 3 Presenter Profile: Antonio Fonseca

2010-01-11T11:58:00.004-05:00

Photo by Donna Dufault from the 20 Artists of Worcester Gallery Show

Although I had been to open studios at 12 Crane in Southbridge and saw Antonio's impressive work in progress there; I never got to meet this wonderful sweet natured artist until last years 20 Artists of Worcester project. At that time I learned more about the global reach his artwork has attained. Not only is Antonio Fonseca one of the most valuable modern Puerto Rican artists; he also makes an impact in the Worcester area, serving as a juror for Artsworcester exhibits as well as speaking out at Worcester State College about the challenges artists face in our local economy. We are so lucky that he was not abroad this January and I am so happy to announce that he is presenting at Pecha Kucha Worcester Vol. 3!

Antonio Fonseca

Identity and Arts: Being an Individual through the globalization of arts.

Antonio Fonseca will use a selection of artwork from his early days until now to
lluminate how he maintains his identity as a Puerto Rican Rican, and
defines himself as he approaches cultural issues around the world..
See more of his work here:
http://www.viotagallery.com/

Antonio Fonseca Bio
Born in Caguas, Puerto Rico in 1972. During his youth he received an associate degree from the Republic of Costa Rica Vocational School in Illustrative and Commercial Arts in Caguas Puerto Rico (1989). Fonseca received his bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from the School of Fine Arts of Puerto Rico Specializing in Printmaking and Art Education in (1997). Studied under the guidance of such renown artists such as Domingo Garcia, Haydee Landing, Consuelo Gotay, Jose Alicea, Ismael Diepa, Antonio Martorell, Myrna Baez, Susana Herrero, and Jamie Suarez. Also worked and specialized in non-toxic printmaking under the guidance of Keith Howard. Also attended courses collaborative printmaking through Tamarind Institute (1998). Received a master’s degree in Fine Arts (printmaking) from Cornell University (1999). At Cornell University he studied under recognized artist such as David Diao, Stephen Poleskie, Greg Page. Victor Kord, Kay WalkingStick, and Todd McGrain.

Antonio Fonseca has been awarded several distinctions. In 1994 he won the Second Biennial of Fine Arts of Casa Roig Museum in Humacao, Puerto Rico. In 1997, he received a “Fellowship Award” from the University of Cornell in Ithaca, New York. Later in 1998, Fonseca received the distinction of the best individual showing awarded by the Puerto Rico chapter of the International Art Critics’ Association. In 1999 he received an honorable mention in “Arte Joven” in the Ponce Art Museum and an honorable mention in the 3oth International Painting Fair in the Cagnes-Sur-Mer Museum on the French Riviera. He also received recognition from the AICA, recognition from the city of Caguas and its mayor for his labor. Again at his second invitation to the International Painting Fair in France he received the third place award, year in which Puerto Rico swiped the three main awards. Fonseca has exhibited world wide in countries such as China, Europe and South America and is now known to be one of the most valuable contemporary artist of Puerto Rico.

Pecha Kucha Night Vol 3!

2010-01-07T12:36:00.002-05:00

Join us on Jan 24th for an amazing night of fun, inspiring and creative talks given by people in your community that are doing amazing things!
Presentation start at 8:20
Come early for mingling, drinks at music
Door opens at 7:20
Pecha Kucha Night Vol 3
Worcester Art Museum
55 Salisbury Street
Worcester Ma 01609
Lancaster St Entrance and Parking

stay tuned for presenter profiles...

Pecha Kucha Worcester in Artscope Magazine #23

2009-11-06T17:22:00.000-05:00

A review of PKN Worcester Vol 2 by Brian Goslow is in Artscope Magazine's Nov/Dec issue. Pick up the magazine to read the full article. Copies are available at ARTSWorcester and Worcester Art Museum Library.
Thanks Brian!

Al Dancy on Pecha Kucha Worcester

2009-10-05T20:50:00.000-04:00

{Al Dancy working it at the front table}

By way of Twitter today, I discovered Al Dancy's blog Al Dancy Speaks, I am reposting his reaction to our last event because, in his words about PKN, "it rocks"...

from his blog, in his words:
Peka-Chu’s, Chupacabra’s and Pecha Kucha Night Worcester
October 5, 2009 — aldancyspeaks

The question may be rolling around your head with that title, “Has Al finally lost whatever was left of his mind?” And my reply is “YES!” But it shouldn’t be the title that gave that away.
Sunday night, September 14th I attended and volunteered at Pecha Kucha Worcester Night 2. First of all Michelle, Cindy and Scott did another amazing job. Their hard work certainly showed!
“Pecha Ku-Waaa??”

I know it’s a strange looking, and even stranger sounding name, but trust me it is all too cool!
It’s pronounced Peh Chah Kuh Chah, or at least that’s what I heard people calling it. Whatever you call it, Pecha Kucha Night has become something my wife and I are amped about. We are so excited to see how this event impacts our community. We attended the Pecha Kucha Worcetser 1st night and we were so pumped by what we saw, heard and experienced that we were determinined that we would be at the next one and the one after that, and…Well, you get the idea. Basically, it rocks!

Pecha Kucha is the community driven offspring of Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham. It started in 2003 and created “as a place for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public.” Check link for a descriptionand history of Pecha Kucha.

Last night’s showing was amazing. There were photographers, painters, and type setters (I had no idea what that was until last night).The highlight of the night to me was the Stu “Dr. Gonzo” Etsy’s presentation on community. It was perfectly fitting for that night. I had a blast, I laughed, I was challenged, and walked away thinking about some things. I have been asking myself since, “how am I investing, impacting, and changing my community for better?”

Make sure you get off your duff and get down to the next Pecha Kucha night, January 24, 2010.
Livin’ Out Loud,
Al

Back to my words:
{Thank you Al and everyone attending for your continued support, and creative spirit. Now get out there and fire other people up about Pecha Kucha #3, January 24th at a top secret, undisclosed location near you.}

Pecha Kucha Worcester #2

2009-10-02T18:48:00.000-04:00

{entrance of 55 Pearl}

{Dr. Gonzo, Stu Esty talking about community}

{Jeffu Warmouth chatting about Food as Art and other hilarious things}

{the crowd engaged in images by Trisha Barry}

next one

january 24th!

chit chat

2009-10-02T18:45:00.000-04:00

{chit chat by sean clarke, a typographical book exploring the art of conversation}

Worcester Vol. 2 Recap

2009-09-23T16:42:00.000-04:00

Keith Cross of Milkrow Studio produced this voice over version of his Pecha Kucha Night Vol. 2 topic "Learning Letterpress". Modern digital design students may find the process of letterpress limiting but Keith encourages everyone to see the liberation letterpress can have:

Stay tuned for LIVE Pecha Kucha Worcester Videos on our youtube group.
PKN Vol. 2 pictures by Michelle May, Rich Beaubien and Donna Dufault Flickr group.

About 100 people came out on Sunday Sept 14th for Pecha Kucha Night Worcester Vol. 2. The evening was filled with laughs and enthusiasm from the crowd as they reacted to presenters Dr Gonzo and Jeffu Warmouth, quiet admiration for Lennie Peterson and Trisha Barry's work and thought provoking presentations from Michael Gennert, Jeff Baker, Ian Hickey and Keith Cross. It proved to be another fun night of diverse topics and inspiration!

Special Thanks goes out to:
Ian Hickey at 55 Pearl for feeding everyone his amazing creations that were based on his presentation "The Creative Process of Cooking"
Joe Madaus for providing video documentation for all the presenters.
Jeff Baker for making the projections possible.
Al Dancy, Donna Dufault for being our go-to volunteers.
Scott Boilard for creating beautiful presenter gifts.

We had a blast and are looking forward to Vol.3 on Jan 24th 2010!

Pecha Kucha Night Worcester Vol#3

2009-09-22T11:00:00.000-04:00

Pecha Kucha Night Vol 2 is tomorrow!!!

2009-09-12T12:54:00.000-04:00

Sunday Sept 13th is Vol 2 of Pecha Kucha Night Worcester.
Michelle May Scott Zoback and I (Cynthia Woehrle) are very excited about the presentions that are lined up:

Jeff Baker~ Tech Head, Creative Heart
Trisha Barry~ 12 Months w/ a N.E. Farmer
Keith Cross~ Learning Letterpress. Mind Your P's and Q's
J. Stu Esty~ Community
Michael Gennert~ Robotics
Ian Hickey~ The Creative Process of Cooking
Lennie Peterson~ The Marriage of Music and Art
Jeff Warmouth~ Playing with food: An edible Journey through art, comedy and popular culture.

Sharing their passion in the 20x20 format about everything from Robots to Letterpress to Cooking and more!

A few things we want you to know.
Free Parking for 55 Pearl is available in the two lower lots on Pearl Street as well as on the street. The parking garage is closed on Sundays.
Doors open at 7:20
Hors D oeuvres served compliments of 55 Pearl.
Cash Bar.
"Stadium" style seating is set for 110 people and is first come first serve.
The front staircase entrance is open for this event with handicap access through the side door at the patio.

Its going to be a great time!

Presenter Profiles: Jeff Warmouth, J Stuart Esty, Ian Hickey

2009-09-09T11:22:00.000-04:00

Join us on Sept 13th 2009 at 55 Pearl Worcester Ma doors open 7:20

{Image © Jeff Warmouth}

Presenter Jeff Warmouth

Bio:

Jeffu Warmouth is a photo-based contemporary artist who has managed to make a career out of playing with his food. His work incorporates photography, video, objects, and installations, and uses jokes and comic twists to subvert logic, language, identity, and culture.

Jeffu has exhibited in alternative spaces and museums, including the DeCordova Museum, the Boston Center for the Arts, and Art Interactive in Cambridge. His award-winning film/video work has screened in festivals internationally. He received his MFA from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and heads the Interactive Multimedia program at Fitchburg State College.

Presenter J. Stuart Esty

Owner of Dr Gonzo's Uncommon Condiments, J Stuart Esty is passionate about community and jalepenos. His creative and "uncommon" ways of getting his message out through social media certainly attracts attention! Read on...

Bio:

What led this inventor of the (seen on TV) "Jiffy Home Lobotomy Kit": just insert the stainless steel icepick behind your ear and stir in a circular motion until all your problems and worries disappear..., proud founder of Spruce Up Yours Landscaping International LLC, this high powered Washington lobbyist, tirelessly fighting for our rights to carry concealed Kazoos, this former lead accordion player of a Maraca Rock and Roll Revue (until he was exiled from Columbia after an alleged affair with Juan Valdez's burro), to dabble in the world of spicy comestibles? Maybe we'll never know the reason for his shift in focus. All we can hope for is that he will continue to weave delicate textures, tastes and heat profiles in an effort to liberate us all from a world burdened by Bland.

Now, contrary to popular opinion, this iteration of Dr. GONZO is not (and never has been) a 300lb Samoan attorney. He is (and will continue to be) the traveling professor of Advanced Mixology and Arcane Aviation Physics at Hardknock University. Home of the Fighting Black and Blue Humping Lumper Marching Band; that not only carries the instruments in tight formation across the rugby pitch, they also carry the people that play the instruments in tight formation across the rugby pitch, and the (oh, so hard to get on) Intramural Cross Country Pruning Shear Relay Team, where we take running with scissors to the next level...

Stay tuned to YouTube's DrGonzosCondiments channel for behind the scenes footage of Dr. GONZO's 'Secret' Underground lab, Xtreme Grilling Team and early failed high volume production experiments of our "World Famous" Peppermash. Yes, sometimes the best humor involves the failings of another so, have a giggle at our expense.

J. Stuart Esty can be found loitering in and or around Dr. GONZO's All Natural MEGA Spicy Comestible EMPORIUM at 122 Main St. (located in the heart of the hysterical courthouse district) in Worcester, MA (the cultural Mecca of Central Mass).

Presenter Ian Hickey

Chef Ian Hickey is presenting on Creative Processes of Cooking, He continually challenges himself to create a tilt on modern American Cuisine. I recently had the opportunity to hear his thoughts on this topic and was fascinated by the process behind building a menu and the challenges in balancing innovation with accessibility. I can't wait to hear more about the art that goes into cooking!

Presenter Profiles: Jeff Baker, Keith Cross, Michael Gennert

2009-09-02T08:54:00.000-04:00

Tech Head, Letterpress, Robots

Pecha Kucha Night is excited to introduce you to three more presenters!

Jeff Baker- Photographer
Keith Cross- Designer
Michael Gennert- Robotics

Join us to hear what all 8 of our presenters have to share!
Sept 13th 2009 doors open at 7:20 for mingling - hors d'oeuvres compliments of 55 Pearl - Cash Bar - presentations start at 8:20.
55 Pearl Street Worcester Ma

Jeff Baker has been running Visions by Baker since 1993. He describes himself as a photographer of people and the life events we share and has traveled across the globe, from Las Vegas to Ohio and to Japan to capture these life events. He's a multi-award winning and nationally certified photographer.

He tells me that he has had a creative heart since he was a child and goes on to say...

"My Grandfather gave me my first camera when I was about 10 years old. Professional training may teach how to use a camera, but his guiding eye helped me learn to see. Photography gives me balance between the logical and the creative, the left brain and the right brain. My Grandfather's guiding eye, together with today's photographic tools, provide the combination that allows me to focus on my art, my vision, of people around me."

Jeffery A. Baker Sr., CPP.
Visions by Baker Photography, LLC.
www.VisionsbyBaker.com
508-769-6113

Keith Cross is keeping Letterpress Alive

Check out this video on Letterpress Video Credit goes to Boaz Sender

"Letterpress has seen a tremendous surge in popularity and interest over the past ten to fifteen years. The subtle yet seductive bite of letterpress thrills and delights designers and typophiles who crave tactile experiences in their RGB lives. Once considered by some a "hobby" or an "obsolete" printing technology, letterpress printing is now a "niche market" for those catering to well-trained eyes and, often, well-heeled clients. I most value letterpress as a teaching tool, albeit a very cumbersome one. In my letterpress classes at the Massachusetts College of Art I teach a new generation of design students the origins of their craft, help them visualize their designs in new (well, old) ways and afford them the patience to consider the possibilities." Keith Cross

Keith Cross is a designer, letterpress printer, educator and head honcho at Milk Row Studio,a creative branding and design operation in Worcester. Keith studied graphic design and printmaking and at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design.
Milk Row Press, now Milk Row Studio, was named after the Milk Row Cemetery in Somerville, MA. These days, Keith is keeping the tradition of letterpress ALIVE by teaching letterpress classes at his alma mater's MassArt Press. He is a member and former President of The Letterpress Guild of New England and a member of the Society of Printers.

Mike Gennert is Department Head of the Computer Science Department and co-founder and Director of the Robotics Engineering Program at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. His research includes Robotics, Computer Vision, Image Processing, Artificial Intelligence, Scientific Databases, and Programming Languages. He owns 8 M.C. Escher ties, a cat, and a robot.

PKN #2 Presenter Profile: Trisha Barry

2009-08-28T09:17:00.000-04:00

I met Trisha Barry about a year ago, as she was finishing up a photography project in Gardener, she told me that she tells stories through her photographs. The project in Gardener had intrigued her because one of the oldest furniture manufacturers in the country was closing up shop, laying off all the workers,and going out of business. She got into the factory and documented everything, talking to the workers, watching them at their craft seeing them leave on their final days, and as I heard her tell this story I too became intrigued. What other stories did she tell? A year with a farmer, six months at sea with a fisherman.

Trisha Barry tells stories through photographs, and as I type this blog I realize I can not tell her stories better than her. So here is a clip from the story she will share for Pecha Kucha Night

TWELVE MONTHS WITH A NEW ENGLAND FARMER

"It was the first snow fall of the winter that took me to the country roads of Warwick, MA to photograph. It was the old farm equipment all strewn about covered with snow, the unusual old barn, and what looked like discarded possessions everywhere that made me stop. Out of nowhere, a man appeared. He had piercing blue eyes, a white beard, and a worn hat with old nails, one on each side turning the brim up. He was dressed in farmer jeans and a flannel shirt. An instantaneous connection was made. I knew at the very moment I met him, there were a story to be told, and a friend to be made. His name was Ken Hubbard.
My curiosity led me to go back repeatedly and learn more. Discovering more with each visit, realizing as much character I saw in his face he had in his soul. Everything had a purpose, a history, and nothing was thrown away..."

photo courtesy of Trisha Barry. © All Rights Reserved

Artist Bio
Fine art photographer Trisha Barry focuses on people. Her photographic essays are less about portraits of people but more about portraits of life. She states...“Everything and everybody has a history and a story, and my passion has led me to telling these stories, these “life portraits”, artistic documentations of people and life, images that preserve that moment in time, that “disappearing presence.” Motivating intuition that inspires meaning is the driving force behind her work.
Graduating from Mass College of Art with a degree in Fibers her early years were spent exploring the possibilities beyond the loom with different fibers creating sculptural pieces and vessels.
After graduating from college she began working with mixed media pieces incorporating her photographs creating visual stories with her viewers. It was then she realized she was leaning toward the photographic medium as a fine art.
Initially working with film in black and white she began showing her work and earning recognition. Her work involves exploring the life's of people. Always wanting to know more about her subject she spends time with them developing a more personal approach to her storytelling.
“Trisha ability to look beneath the surface creates powerful visual dialogues that find true meaning in the simple things. Her photography is like beautiful poetry capturing pieces of vanishing America “,,, Fred Martins creative director of Tiziani Whitmyre.

PKN Worcester Vol. 2

2009-08-25T09:06:00.000-04:00

Pecha Kucha Night Worcester Vol. 2 at 55 Pearl Sunday Sept 13th 2009 in the GAR Hall.

Join us for an evening of creative chit-chat set in the historic Bull Mansion.

Recognized by the National Registry of Historic Places the Bull Mansion is know for its high Victorian Architecture. Innovation meets history at this restaurant where Chef Ian Hickey redefines New England cuisine. Pecha Kucha Night is taking over the mansions GAR Hall to present 8 speakers sharing their own passion, ideas and innovation.

The Pecha Kucha format has spread globally, and is hosted in over 226 cities worldwide. Come see what all the chit- chat is about.

http://www.pecha-kucha.org/cities/worcester

PKN Worcester #2

2009-08-19T20:06:00.000-04:00

Details:
Worcester Volume #2

55 Pearl

13 September 2009

START 19:20

DOOR NC

We can't wait to see YOU there.

Making Art and Music

2009-08-17T13:02:00.001-04:00

Musician and Artist Lennie Peterson is passionate about the marriage of Music and Visual Art. He's agreed to present at Pecha Kucha Night Worcester Vol. 2 to share his passion and insight about the spontaneous, improvised creation within the relationship of Music and Visual Art.
He also shared this concept recently with friend Kaki King, wow-ing her with the idea of painting a guitar with her music....using the action of strumming to mark the guitar. This idea took seed and grew into Kaki King "The Exhibition". Ovation donated 12 guitars to be turned into art by 12 artists with a 13th guitar painted live at the exhibit and auctioned off to benefit VH1's Save The Music.

Using the same guitar that she played "Pink Noise" on The David Letterman Show, she dipped her hands into pink acrylic paint and strummed out Pink Noise on stage at the exhibit (admitting that she would have to play Karaoke style because the sound will change as soon as the paint hits the guitar strings)
Thus creating Pink Noise The Guitar. This guitar hasn't gone up for auction yet so stay tuned for where and when to bid. Until then check out these photos from the show.

Inspired By Dickenson and Hauschka

2009-06-18T10:16:00.000-04:00

Worcester Volumne 1 speaker John Herman spoke about inspiration through collaboration, and mentioned a one minute film that was inspired by hearing German composer Hauschka.
Here is the result of their collaboration.

Annoucing our Presenter list for #1!

2009-06-13T08:38:00.000-04:00

PechaKucha Night Worcester Vol. 1 is Sunday June 14th at Bocado Tapas Bar 82 Winter Street Worcester Ma
Doors open at 7:20

In completely random order here are our presenters for the evening!

* Andy Fish and Veronica Hebbard /Hebs and Fish/ portfolio and upcoming projects
* John C Herman / new-media guru / Inspiration through Collaboration
* Paul Irish/ Molecular/ Practical Design Solutions from Japan
* Adoniram Sides/ Photographer / Quiet Spaces and the Way of Inspiration
* Andreea Waters / Art Director Expert Satellite / Life By Design
* Megan McIntosh/ Freestyle Slalom Skating / Aspects of Freestyle
* Scott Boilard / Fine Arts Painter and Graphic Artist / Sights Sounds Experiences
* Derek Ring/ Freelance Illustrator / Monsters and Vectors

Worcester Magazine Article

2009-06-11T07:58:00.000-04:00

Pecha Kucha Night
Written by Doreen Manning
Wednesday, 10 June 2009

Cutting through the chatter

By Doreen Manning

When artists get together to mull over their craft, one could call it idle chit chat. But when artists present their work in an organized, fluid and productive way that inspires creative action, that’s called Pecha Kucha Night.

Roughly translated from Japanese for the sound of conversation, this event for creative professionals was started in 2003 by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham of Japan-based Klein Dytham architecture as a place for young designers to meet, network, and show their work.

The Worcester segment kicks off June 14 at Bocado Tapas Wine Bar (82 Winter St.). The format is simple. A select group of creative types is chosen beforehand. Each will present 20 slides of his or her work, with 20 seconds allowed per slide, culminating in 6 minutes 40 seconds. Inspiration and discussion then follow.

When Cynthia Woehrle posted her idea on worcesterite.com to host a Pecha Kucha Night here in Worcester, fellow artist Michelle May — who had also expressed interest in hosting a PKN a few months earlier on the same blog — jumped on board. First step for the duo: research. “I was determined to find out as much as I could about this organization,” says Woehrle. Contacting other area cities like Boston and Portland that had already hosted a PKN event, and receiving great feedback, Woehrle then contacted Japan to find out how she and May could bring the event to Worcester. “We were hopeful that we could get approved and invited (Worcester Magazine News Editor) Scott Zoback to collaborate on this project; he loved the idea and signed up to help.” After a six-week wait, approval from Klein Dytham arrived and Worcester was officially added as the 196 cities in the PKN network.

Drinks and greetings begin at 7:20 p.m. followed by artists’ presentations at 8:20 p.m. (“20” is the PKN theme, as if you couldn’t tell). Name tags keep the name-game stress at bay, and a directory of speakers complete with photo profiles will be at the entrance. An MC will keep the presentation flowing, and each presenter will stand with his or her work and guide the viewer quickly through the progression of images.

With four nights committed to PKN in the coming year, the organizers have high hopes. “Not only will it expose Worcester as a cultural center, it will give us a social media voice all over the world, through the PKN website, Twitter and Facebook,” May says. “This will give artists and designers a chance to meet socially, know faces, and hopefully grow the community here in Worcester and surrounding towns. Fine artists have a forum here in town, but other designers, not so much. PKN is a great opportunity to show a little piece of your universe to Worcester, while getting people fired up. Seeing what inspires others is a very powerful tool.”

Pecha Kucha Night offers an opportunity for practitioners of all types of media — writers, filmmakers, painters, graphic designers, musicians and more — to showcase their work. “I am looking to integrate artists of all types,” shares Woehrle, “and bring them to a format where they can share ideas, projects and inspirations on the same playing field, as well as give the community an opportunity to hear perspectives from creative thinkers.”

For Woehrle, Zoback and May, the goal is the same: to promote that sense of community and foster creative ideas. So stop the chit chat, and start the inspiration.

Worcester Volume #1 at Bocado Tapas Bar, 82 Winter St., Worcester. June 14, 7:20 p.m. Free. Learn more at pecha-kucha.org; pecha-kucha.org/cities/worcester; pechakucha-worcester.blogspot.com.

This Week Around the World

2009-06-08T08:10:00.000-04:00

(image source from PKN Fresno)

PechaKucha Night happens all around the world, here's a look at the ideas being shared in this week:
Matt Grisby in Providence explores green materials
Scott Willis in Dunedin talks about the Waitati Energy Project
Jiewa says Life is Delicious at Surabaya #1
Mauro Massarotto/Sheriff&Cherry Studio in Zagreb #3 offer up some very colorful design

Upcoming City Events

* 8 June 2009 Fresno #3
* 9 June 2009 Cape Town #6
* 9 June 2009 Wellington #5
* 10 June 2009 Providence #4
* 10 June 2009 Dunedin #2
* 11 June 2009 Los Angeles #20
* 11 June 2009 Aarhus #2
* 11 June 2009 Zagreb #3
* 11 June 2009 Dawson City #2
* 12 June 2009 Oulu #5
* 13 June 2009 Surabaya #1
* 14 June 2009 Worcester #1
* 14 June 2009 Halifax #2

Worcester calling Tokyo

2009-06-04T07:45:00.001-04:00

Last week I received a request to submit a 20 second video saying HELLO to Pecha Kucha Night Tokyo #62.
The world wide event hit a few mile stones last week. Hitting the 200 mark for participating cities and hitting a record turn out for #62 in Tokyo. My greeting from Worcester Ma was played to a packed room of 443 people at SuperDeluxe ( an arts events venue owned by the Pecha Kucha founders Klein Dytham Architecture). As the organization continues to grow the founders help keep everyone connected through introducing new cities at the beginning of their events, posting samples of the worldwide events on the headquarters blog. Posting videos of presentations and linking every city on their mainpage.

Here is a sample presentation from Tokyo #62 given by Mark Cooke

Pecha Kucha Night also got a write up in Culture Magazine you can read it here online on pages 54 and 55.

Very Busy Week!
and did I mention Pecha Kucha Night is non profit? Everyone involved has a day job and is passionate about the Pecha Kucha format for sharing ideas and creativity.

Worcester #1 is coming up quick!
June 14th Bocado Tapas Bar 7:20

2009-05-28T08:42:00.001-04:00

{image via PKN featured in May issue of online magazine One +}

Read full article here, The Economist's sister magazine Intelligent Life also showing PKN some sweetness. Oh, did you hear, Pecha Kucha Night is coming to WORCESTER...

What is Pecha Kucha Night? {from the PKN website}

Pecha Kucha Night, devised by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham (Klein Dytham architecture), was conceived in 2003 as a place for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public.

But as we all know, give a mike to a designer (especially an architect) and you’ll be trapped for hours. The key to Pecha Kucha Night is its patented system for avoiding this fate. Each presenter is allowed 20 images, each shown for 20 seconds each – giving 6 minutes 40 seconds of fame before the next presenter is up. This keeps presentations concise, the interest level up, and gives more people the chance to show.

Pecha Kucha (which is Japanese for the sound of conversation) has tapped into a demand for a forum in which creative work can be easily and informally shown, without having to rent a gallery or chat up a magazine editor. This is a† demand that seems to be global – as Pecha Kucha Night, without any pushing, has spread virally to over 196 cities across the world.

Pecha Kucha is intended to gather creatives to share their work and ideas, chilling-out, getting together and exchanging thoughts in an informal environment. Pecha Kucha welcomes creative minds from the fields of Architecture, Industrial Design, Graphic Design, Motion Graphics, Fashion Design, Animation, Science, Social Media... and Design in general. Pecha Kucha represents a new expression venue for people in the creative world.

If you are interested in speaking at a Pecha Kucha Night in Worcester, 3 more on the way after June 14th, please contact Cynthia Woerhle, Scott Zoback, or Michelle May:

contact@cynthiawoehrle.com

szoback@gmail.com

michelle.l.may@gmail.com

...come thirsty and bring friends!
Get your creative energy ready to be fired up.

Stay in the loop:
PKN Worcester
twitter.com/pechakuchanight

PKN News...

2009-05-28T08:36:00.000-04:00

PECHA KUCHA NEWS
PechaKucha Night Tokyo reaches it's 62nd vol,
Boston hits it's 10th vol, Dubai is already on it's 5th vol, Doha and
Belgrade celebrate their 3rd volumes and Lima gets it's 2nd event off
the ground. All this just yesterday!

Big news... 20x20=200...............200 cities that is!

Our sums may be wrong, but we are ecstatic to announce that our
200th city has just joined the PechaKucha Night. Nishinomiya City in the Kansai area of Japan is the 200th city. It seems fitting that 6 years after the first ever PechaKucha Night in Tokyo -
the 200th city to join should be in Japan!

PKN # 1 poster

2009-05-27T21:50:00.000-04:00

poster design by Todd Rawley

2009-05-25T13:31:00.000-04:00

Adoniram Sides AdoniramSides.com

John C Herman JohnHerman.org

"Inspiration through Collaboration"

John Herman is an artist, writer, and teacher. The Ford Motor Company
just named him "a top web influencer." Pitchfork called him "a writer,
a media maker, and a compulsive ringleader." The Boston Globe called
him a "New-media guru." NewTeeVee described him as "a renaissance
media-maker of many talents." He produces surreal musical web TV
shows, improv comedy, and more.

Fish and Hebs

Veronica Hebard -
Veronica is a freelance illustrator and comic artist. Her work has been featured in many publications and gallery shows in Massachusetts, New York, and Los Angeles. She is curator of Modus Lotus, designing progresive art projects.

Andy Fish -
Andy is a commercial artist and graphic novelist. Clients include DC Comics, Coca Cola, Scholastic Books and Sports Illustrated. Andy currently teaches youth and adult art programs at the Higgins Education Wing of the Worcester Art Museum as well as at Emerson College and the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston, Massachusetts.

Andy and Veronica will present their separate bodies of work, and discuss their upcoming two-person exhibition "ATOMIC HEARTS & The Electrical Brain" at SPACE 242, Boston.

Paul Irish Aurgasm.us

Pecha Kucha Night is coming to Worcester!

2009-05-12T07:56:00.000-04:00

What is Pecha Kucha Night? {from the PKN website}

Pecha Kucha Night, devised by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham (Klein Dytham architecture), was conceived in 2003 as a place for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public.

Pecha Kucha is intended to gather creatives to share their work and ideas, chilling-out, getting together and exchanging thoughts in an informal environment. Pecha Kucha welcomes creative minds from the fields of Architecture, Industrial Design, Graphic Design, Motion Graphics, Fashion Design, Animation, Science and Design in general. Pecha Kucha represents a new expression venue for people in the creative world.

Come thirsty and bring along your friends!

What gets you fired up? Details on the way...stay in the loop:

twitter.com/pechakuchanight

PKN Worcester Blog

PechaKuchaNightWorcester