From the East Village to Kyoto: Masae Satouchi's farewell exhibition

Photos by Stacie Joy 

A two-day pop-up exhibition at the Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space (MoRUS) celebrates the work of longtime C-Squat resident Masae Satouchi, who is relocating to Kyoto, Japan, later this summer after two decades in New York. 

We stopped by the opening last night of "My Ritual of Becoming," a multimedia exhibition featuring Satouchi's photography, performance art, kimono creations, fire dancing, burlesque, and color art therapy. 

The show reflects on her 20 years in New York while looking ahead to what's next.

"My Ritual of Becoming is not the end of a journey," Satouchi says. "It is an invitation. If my work helps even one person remember who they were before the world told them who to become, then these twenty years have found their meaning."

Satouchi describes the exhibition as "a love letter to New York and to all the people who made it my home," while marking the beginning of a new chapter in Japan. 

If you missed last night's opening, today (Wednesday) is your final chance to see the exhibition. It's on view from 1-6 p.m. at MoRUS, 155 Avenue C between Ninth Street and 10th Street.

And scenes from last evening, including host-special guest Chris Flambeaux ...