Ayako Kato/Art Union Humanscape

Described as “moving everyday sculptures, artfully cast in naturalness” (Luzerner Zeitung, Switzerland), Ayako Kato is a kinetic philosopher/poet, originally from Yokohama, Japan. Since 1998, Ayako Kato/Art Union Humanscape has been pursuing contemporary experimental dance/choreography/improvisation in deep collaboration with over 82 musicians and composers, presenting in Europe, Japan, and the US. Advocating the principles of fūryū, Japanese for “wind flow,” cyclical transformation and human motion in nature, Ayako creates solo, ensemble pieces, and movement installations for traditional stages and large scale site-specific locations. Ayako received the Sybil Shearer Fellowship at Ragdale 2024 and a 2023 National Dance Project (NDP) Grant Finalist Award in preparation for ETHOS IV: Degrowth/Cycle Rebirth which premieres April 19 & 20, 2024, a 2023 United States Artist Fellowship, the 2022 Esteemed Artist Award from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events; the 2021 Artist Fellowship Award in Choreography by the Illinois Arts Council; a 3Arts Residency Fellowship at Camargo Foundation, France and Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga, CA; a 3Arts Award; Meier Achievement Award, High Concept Labs Fellowships; the Best of Dance by the Chicago Tribune; a Links Hall Co-MISSION Fellowship; the Hall of Fame by Newcity Stage's 50 People Who Really Perform for Chicago; a Chicago Dancemakers Forum Lab Artist Award and beyond. She is grateful for everyone who has supported and guided her to move forward together with her belief that dance has power to uplift people and generate peace. ayakokatodance.com