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The Beauty of Ambiguity: Ayako Kato Residency at the University of Michigan


Ayako Kato, Photo by William Frederking                            Robin Wilson, Photo by Glenn Bering

Prof. Robin Wilson at the University of Michigan, who is a founding member of New York's Urban Bush Women, is generously inviting Ayako to teach, perform, give a career talk at the Dance Department and a lecture on Fūryū and her artistic journey at the Center for Japanese Studies on November 19 & 20. Ayako cannot wait to perform free improvisation together with faculty members and dance students!!

Wed, November 19


Improvisation Master Class: Everything & Nothing

2 pm @Studio 1


Whole Being: Dance & Music
Free Improvisation Performance

7 pm @Studio 1 & 2

100 Baits Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Performance by UM Dance Students, Robin Wilson, Stephen Rush,
Alex Wand, Joe Fee, Amy Chavasse, and Ayako Kato


Thursday, November 20

Career Talk with Students: Life is only once!

12 pm @Studio 3
100 Baits Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Lecture: The beauty of Ambiguity: Fūryū and Being as it is

6:30 pm @Center for Japanese Studies
1014 Tisch Hall, 435 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Chicago-based artist Ayako Kato discusses the Japanese traditional philosophy Fūryū, how it has grown to a universal perspective through her creative practice, and why it is valuable for our contemporary life. In this evening talk, Kato will also share how her path to be an artist and embodying Fūryū through dance have been intertwined with establishing her identity and sense of independence as a contemporary female artist of color and human.