‘Visionaries’ take to the stage

Family lineage, photography, fashion and urban planning are among the topics to be presented at the fourth Pecha Kucha Night Bermuda.

The event will see ten speakers speak at the Bermuda Society of Arts tomorrow evening from 6:30pm.

The format is a “20x20” where 20 images are projected on to a screen, each for 20 seconds, while the presenter talks along with the images. 

Following each presentation is a three minute, 40 second question and answer period. 

The speakers are Dana Cooper — fashion designer; Sara Corday — genealogist; Chris Burville-photographer; Gregory Nelmes — interior designer; Jim Goossens-urban planner; Earl Jones —physicist; Jeanne Wohlmuth — wellness practitioner; MaryLeigh Burnett, mural artist; Stratton Hatfield — designer and Kristin White — Transitions Bermuda. “The great thing about PKNs is that it is a great night out on the town and one is entertained while being thought provoked,” said one of the event organizers Nicky Gurret. “The presentation is automated, so there is no ‘Can you go back one or stop?’ or ‘Next slide, please’. 

And, with just 20 seconds per slide, each presenter has exactly six minutes and 40 seconds for his or her idea.” Organizers Nicky Gurret, Aideen Ratteray Pryse, and Tiago Garcia invited a variety of visual artists and creative thinkers to present their out-of-the-box ideas on any topic of their choice. The event is open to everyone and admission is free. 

An event blurb reads: “At a time when email, Facebook and Twitter seemingly reduce the need for face-to-face encounters, PechaKucha Nights force us out of the house/office and into a social space for stimulation and interaction.”

PechaKucha Nights (PKN) were started by a pair of Tokyo-based architects who tackled this problem: “How do you get a bunch of visual visionaries — many of them isolated, introverted, self-employed people who tend to hunch all day behind their computers — out into social spaces, communicating, drinking, networking? The solution: Give them a format and a chance to talk about their current interests and listen to others doing the same.”