Art experience.

In recent years Rome has made major investments, not only in its artistic and archeological heritage, but also in contemporary art forms, as can be seen in the MACRO and MAXXI: two museums destined to become emblems of the avant-garde in the eternal city.

After some fifteen years in the making, the MAXXI (the National museum of 21st century arts), in the district of Flaminio, was finally inaugurated at the end of May 2010. The museum, which houses both MAXXI Architecture and MAXXI Art, was designed by the celebrity architect Zaha Hadid, who was awarded the much coveted Stirling prize for her stunning structure, characterized by sinuous, boa-like forms, and striking cantilevered volumes, illuminated by the light filtering through the steel mesh protecting the glass roof.

MAXXI Architecture houses a series of retrospective exhibitions dedicated to the great protagonists of 20th century architecture and a contemporary section, which gives particular emphasis to the work of young designers and an international vision of 21st century architecture. MAXXI Art boasts a permanent collection of circa 300 paintings, sculptures, installations, and works of video and net-art created by artists of international standing between 1960 and 2000. Clemente, Boetti, Kentridge, Richter and Merz are just a few of the artists featured. The museum aims to be a showcase for experimental art forms and temporary exhibitions.

By the end of 2010 MAXXI Base, the museum's new research center comprised of library, mediatheque, and photographic and contemporary archive will be inaugurated. Less than six months after opening, MAXXI has registered more than 140.000 visitors, but is also functioning as an impressive virtual platform, with thousands of people exchanging ideas and material via the museum's web community.

Like the MAXXI, the new wing of the city's MACRO museum (Museo di Arte Contemporanea di Roma) in Rome's Nomentano district, is the work of a female architect, Odile Decq. Due to open in late November 2010, her glass and black basalt pavilion will add a further 10.000sqm to the former Peroni factory (which was transformed into a museum in 1999), complete with exhibition rooms, a multi-level roof garden for open air exhibitions, a bookshop, and reading rooms. On the ground floor there is a stunning fiery red Auditorium and a room in which Mario Schifano's immense "Chimera", takes pride of place.

The Macro museum is also home to the Macro Testaccio, located in a complex which was once a slaughterhouse, and is one of the most characteristic edifices in this, a part of Rome particular rich in cultural stimuli. The building's 19th century pavilions are an important example of industrial architecture and serve as symbol of the transition between the classic and the modern age.

MAXXI Museo nazionale delle Arti del XXI secolo
Via Guido Reni, 4 A - Roma
www.fondazionemaxxi.it
Opening hours: Tuesday-Wednesday-Friday-Sunday from 11.00 to 19.00 - Thursday and Saturday from 11.00 to 22.00

MACRO Museo di Arte Contemporanea di Roma
Via Reggio Emilia, 54 - Roma
www.macro.roma.museum
Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday from 9.00 to 19.00