Maxxi: Italy's first contemporary arts museum

In a city famous for the ancient Romans and Michelangelo, architecture buffs got a preview in Rome over the weekend of something decidedly modern: Italy's first museum of contemporary arts. It was designed by Iraqi-born Zaha Hadid.

In the city of the ancient Romans, Michelangelo and Bernini, architecture buffs got a preview over the weekend of Maxxi: Italy's first contemporary arts museum. Its official name is the National Museum of the XXI Century Arts.

The Maxxi is a rare example of the avant-garde, in what's known as the Eternal City.

The first glimpse is the bland facade of a 19th century military barracks. But lurking just behind, curves of steel and concrete soar upward to a glass roof that bathes the museum in natural light.

Designed by Iraqi-born Zaha Hadid, the Maxxi inspires fairy-tale comparisons — like entering the belly of a giant whale and its slippery surfaces give the feel of a flying carpet.

Hadid appears mindful that in recent years, Rome has not warmly welcomed contemporary architects. "I hope I'll come back regularly to visit to make sure they have not done anything odd. I'm watching," she warned Italian art officials.

Hadid says she was inspired by Rome's many layers of history and architectural styles.

But the style she seems most inspired by is the baroque. The Maxxi echoes its fluid and sinuous forms, concave and convex spaces; and white curving lines that mysteriously disappear and reappear.

From NPR.org