If you've ever wondered whether a banana duct-taped to a wall is considered art, well today's your…read morelucky day because someone thinks it is*...and it's on display at MAXXI in Rome (also potentially at the Whitney in NYC though who's checking).
While the banana wasn't the reason I visited, the architecture was! Ever since I chanced upon a building by Zaha Hadid (RIP) and her firm ZHA, (first in Manhattan at 520 West 28th Street, then in Prague at the Masaryčka - Budova A and B) I've been gaga over her buildings; she undoubtedly earned the "Queen of the Curve" nickname for a reason. MAXXI is considered one of her more notable works**, though the list is long of structures on an even more epic scale.
From the outside flowing curves and jutting angles interplay hand in hand, producing some distinct visual high/lowlights from various perspectives. Inside the black stairs and overhead lights paint terraced, winding brushstrokes across the industrial atrium of a space that was formerly Italian military barracks. I loved just moving around the room, seeing the same space morph from different vantage points.
Walking into the lobby there are currently six mobile and interactive pieces by Studio TAKK that in part serve as seating for visitors. Tickets can be purchased online for a discount, or in person at ticket machines or at the two ticket counters in the lobby.
Four floors with a variety of exhibits centered on contemporary art by Italian artists. When I was there in April there was an exhibit on Tragicomica, art which combined tragedy and comedy--definitely some unexpected, puzzling, ironic and hilarious moments here.
A separate exhibit highlighted Roman demographic stats as compared to other global cities, creating 2D and 3D comparisons; tbh this felt like an anthropology exhibit rather than art, though it was still an interesting topic to learn about.
You could probably spend a good 1.5-2 hours here if you took your time. Cafe and book/gift store available. Bags above a certain size must be checked in their free lockers or coat check. I thought it was an amazing space with some quirky and cool exhibits!
- Tickets €15 in person or €14 online.
- Reduced tickets for senior citizens or students/young adults (18-25) are €12 in person, €11 online.
- Free admission on your birthday, patrons with disabilities and caregivers, or for certain pass holders
For more info:
https://www.maxxi.art
*and an "edition" of this sold at Sotheby's in NYC for $6.2 million!!! And that's not even including the actual fruit, it only gives the owner the authority to duct-tape a banana to a wall and call it "Comedian". All I have to say is some people have waaay too much money on their hands....
**a design that won a competition with over 270 entries, took ten years to build, opened to the public in 2010, and winning a prestigious Stirling Prize for architecture.
