Material Frequencies
January 19 – May 9, 2027
Mills College Art Museum at Northeastern University
A Bay Area survey exploring electroacoustic music and sound art through artist-made instruments, sonic sculptures, and interdisciplinary works
Mills College Art Museum at Northeastern University
5000 MacArthur BoulevardOakland, CA 94613MCAM is located on the Northeastern University Oakland campus. A government-issued ID is required to enter the campus.
Wednesday 11 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
Thursday–Sunday 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Free
Partially ADA accessible. Three accessible parking spaces, a ramp, and wheelchair-accessible restrooms. Staff can assist with doors.
Material Frequencies explores the San Francisco Bay Area’s contributions to contemporary sound experimentation in visual art and performance. The exhibition brings together artist-made instruments, sonic objects, sculptures, and installations by Bay Area artists including Sholeh Asgary, Terry Berlier, Christopher Robin Duncan, Chris Kallmyer, Guillermo Galindo, Ava Koohbor, and Cheryl E. Leonard, among others.
This group survey will also feature a dynamic range of archival and artist-published materials—photos, posters, albums, videos—to illustrate the Bay Area’s role as a central hub for electroacoustic music, sound, art, and technology. Visionary composer Pauline Oliveros was the founding director of the Center for Contemporary Music at Mills College on our Oakland campus, which became internationally renowned for championing interdisciplinary collaboration, hands-on engineering, and aesthetic risk. Her pioneering work positioned technology and sound as tools for expanding human perception—an ethos that resonates throughout this show.
Material Frequencies is guest curated by Tanya Zimbardo.
Exhibiting Artists
Ava Koohbor, Cheryl E. Leonard, Chris Kallmyer, Christopher Robin Duncan, Guillermo Galindo, Sholeh Asgary, Terry Berlier
Exhibition Support
Material Frequencies is supported by The Jay DeFeo and Hung Liu Endowments and the William and Marilyn Mary Endowment.
Mills College Art Museum at Northeastern University
Founded in 1925, the Mills College Art Museum explores art and ideas through innovative exhibitions, programs, and collections. The museum inspires the Northeastern University community while engaging diverse audiences across the Bay Area and beyond.
Things to Do Around Here
Cafe Santana is a friendly neighborhood coffee shop and local roaster with great coffee, espresso drinks, and pastries.
Ashley Harris, Program Director, Mills College Art Museum
Ramen Shop is a hip neighborhood spot serving a rotating menu of delicious ramen. Award-winning drinks too!
Ashley Harris, Program Director, Mills College Art Museum
L’acajou Bakery & Café is cozy neighborhood café with delicious French-inspired pastries, sandwiches, and coffee. Friendly staff too!
Ashley Harris, Program Director, Mills College Art Museum