Material Sound travels to the United States in a first for MAMA
In 2018, MAMA opened Material Sound, an original experimental sound and kinetic exhibition, featuring all-Australian contemporary artists at the forefront of sound experimentation in a contemporary art context.
It may have seemed a risky choice for MAMA, but the exhibition became the most visited exhibition since the museum's bumper opening in 2015. It attracted 24,510 people across 79 days, including thousands who took part in programs such as a sound and laser show at St Matthew's Church, a kids biosynthesiser workshop, and an electro-dance closing party.
The exhibition picked up a Highly Commended award at the 2018 Imagine Awards, and has continued interest from other galleries and museums wishing to show the exhibition.
Bree Pickering, MAMA Director, worked collaboratively with curator Caleb Kelly to develop the exhibition over a number of years, and was thrilled to receive a grant from the Gordon Darling Foundation to cover her travel expenses to attend the US opening.
"Black Mountain is such an important museum for the history of experimental art, and they recognised Material Sound is what contemporary, cutting-edge artwork looks like. It was important for me personally to ensure our work is shared internationally because, having worked in the U.S., I know Australian art is very good but often overlooked."
The exhibition continues in the US until 31 August 2019.