Ars Nova Workshop and Mark Christman continue to represent the visual art-centric side of Milford Graves multi-layered and interdisciplinary creative life and works. Following the success of Milford Graves: Fundamental Frequency, an exhibition presented by Ars Nova Workshop and Artists Space (NYC) in late-2021, a selection of Professor Graves’ works and historic materials are now a major element of File Under Freedom, a new exhibition at Bergen Kunsthall in Norway.

Curated by Steinar Sekkingstad, File Under Freedom is an extensive thematic exhibition about improvisation in art and music and includes works by Lisa Alvarado, Peter Brötzmann, Don Cherry, Moki Cherry, Mats Gustafsson, Roscoe Mitchell, Matana Roberts, Cauleen Smith, Sun Ra, Marshall Trammell, and many others.

With recently produced and rarely shown historical works, as well as archive material, the exhibition explores ideas on freedom, expressed by improvising musicians and contemporary artists. File Under Freedom is on view at Bergen Kunsthall, February 5–March 27, 2022. The exhibition is accompanied by an active live program with music, talks and screenings.

Milford Graves: Fundamental Frequency

Milford Graves: Fundamental Frequency, organized by Ars Nova Workshop in collaboration with Artists Space (NYC), was named “one of the best shows in town” in 2021, according to The New York Times. The multiform retrospective exhibition and event series dedicated to the life and work of interdisciplinary artist and percussionist Milford Graves was also highlighted in a year-end review by The New Yorker.