BigShinyThing

We’ve written about the Pecha Kucha phenomenon but not had chance to experience the concept in action. This Sunday we went along to the ‘world’s biggest Pecha Kucha’ at Sadler’s Wells in Islingston as part of the London Architectural Biennale. Sadly, we weren’t that impressed. Klein Dytham Architects were there and did their bit — explaining how they came up with the concept (Pecha Kucha means ‘chatter’ in Japanese) and talking about about their Very Cool Indeed projects. It all flowed along rather nicely despite it being the nth time they must have presented. But then the concept faltered somewhat.

We think that Pecha Kucha works for a number of reasons. One, it forces presenters to be economic with language when describing ideas. Two, it gives people who don’t access to traditional platforms an opportunity to get up and talk about their stuff. Three, it is presented in an intimate and informal setting. And this is why last night didn’t really work. We know what Alison Jackson, Nigel Coates, Thomas Heatherwick at al do plus they are all — to varying degrees — famous already. Plus a 1,500 plus seater theatre is not really an intimate setting — at times, we felt like we were at a motivational seminar. The presence of a Bentley/Vitra sponsored VIP area didn’t help either… not exactly grassroots is it?

Then there was the fact that director/photographer Alison Jackson was allowed to totally cop out and just show a 6 minute clip from her television series which we could have watched on Channel 4 a couple of weeks ago anyway.

Only our favourite visionary architect Nigel Coates seem to really Get It. He took the opportunity — bravely — to talk about the inspirations behind his creative thinking. He talked chattily and engagingly about his love for numerous books — including the wonderful Hypnerotomachia Poliphili: The Strife of Love in a Dream — and pots and how stuff his friends give him can inspire him too.

After that, I’m afraid, we upped and left.