On March 25, 2009, I was selected to present my research on Hip Hop Architecture during AIA Detroit's Pecha Kucha Night at the Hard Rock Cafe in Downtown Detroit. Crains Detroit, published an article listing the presenters, I presented an abbreviated story about the architectural environments which necessitated the birth of hip hop culture. During the presentation I shared the story of the architectural environments which necessitated the birth of hip hop culture. The presentation then focused on "remixing" re-purposing materials to create architectural spaces which encouraged the development and entrepreneurial spirit of hip hop culture. . A blogger who attended the event, shared her summary of all the presentations including the snippet below about my presentation.
Twenty slides. Twenty seconds each. Pecha Kucha Night crosses the corporate PowerPoint presentation with speed dating. Each presenter displays 20 slides for 20 seconds each; you get six minutes and 40 seconds to perk interest. The international phenomenon was developed in 2003 by two Tokyo-based architects. The event provides a forum for creatives to meet, network and showcase their work. Through word of mouth and the Internet, Pecha Kucha (which refers to the sound of conversation in Japanese and is pronounced “peh-chak-cha”) has spread virally to 132 cities worldwide. Detroit jumped aboard last fall. The quarterly event is organized by the Emerging Professionals Committee of the American Institute of Architects Detroit chapter and Detroit Synergy, a nonprofit group that organizes events to promote the city. Detroit Make it Here is the official media sponsor. Organizers select 12 compelling presenters, usually from creative fields such as design, architecture, photography and art.