Tag: Travel

The Big Bambu exhibition at MACRO Testaccio has finally, finally ended for reals. Sad.

After more than two years and all my love, the exhibition of Big Bambu at MACRO Testaccio seems to be no more. According to the MACRO website the exhibition ended on March 11 and the amazing structure is being dismantled (although let’s be honest, sometimes websites are unreliable, but people currently in Rome have posted pictures of… Read More The Big Bambu exhibition at MACRO Testaccio has finally, finally ended for reals. Sad.

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Brenna Graham6 Comments

MACRO: Rome’s Contemporary Art Museum. Let’s discuss.

MACRO is Rome’s answer to contemporary art museums. There are two locations: MACRO is in the Salario neighborhood a bit outside of the historical center, but is still seriously easy to get to, while MACRO Testaccio is, as the name implies in Testaccio– one of my favorite neighborhoods in the city– and also rather easy to get… Read More MACRO: Rome’s Contemporary Art Museum. Let’s discuss.

Brenna Graham3 Comments

MAXXI: Everything that is Wrong with Contemporary Art Museums BUT it looks like spaceship, so wash?

Few people go to Rome for contemporary art. It’s just not really the draw. But there is actually a LOT of modern and contemporary art there, and a fair amount of really great/nutty/great contemporary architecture. MAXXI the national museum of 21st century art has both: modern art and great/nutty/great architecture. Designed by Zaha Hadid a fancy… Read More MAXXI: Everything that is Wrong with Contemporary Art Museums BUT it looks like spaceship, so wash?

Brenna Graham5 Comments

The Villa Farnesina: drag yourself out of bed to enjoy a villa by your lonesome

I’m always surprised by how empty the Villa Farnesina is. It’s so centrally located (right on the edge of Trastevere), it’s got SUCH good stuff (so many Raphaels!), and it’s such a lovely, lovely, lovely space. And yet, every single time I’ve been there, there are crickets it’s so empty. Ok by me, because I… Read More The Villa Farnesina: drag yourself out of bed to enjoy a villa by your lonesome

Brenna Graham7 Comments

The Etruscans get No Respect, No Respect. But the Villa Giulia is TOTALLY respectable

If you’ve been following Museum Month(s Strike Back, Return of the Jedi With a Vengeance), you know that I’m a big fan of big, empty, museums. That I’ll eschew the blockbuster in favor of places that are what I call “pleasantly attended” (the Rodin Museum, Gemäldegalerie, and Brera all qualify) If you’re looking for that in… Read More The Etruscans get No Respect, No Respect. But the Villa Giulia is TOTALLY respectable

Brenna Graham12 Comments

The Galleria Borghese: no secret that it’s so, so, so great.

I don’t think I need to tell you that the Galleria Borghese is great. Tucked away into a pretty corner of the Villa Borghese, which is one of Rome’s most accessible great villa parks, the Galleria has an unreal collection, GREAT crowd control because tickets are only sold under reserved entry times. AND it isn’t… Read More The Galleria Borghese: no secret that it’s so, so, so great.

Brenna Graham11 Comments

All the Love for the Castel Sant’Angelo. Lurve too. and Looooooooooooooove

The Castel Sant’Angelo is the backdrop for many, many, many picturesque Roman views over the Tiber, or towards St. Peter’s or whatever fancy scene. So fancy. But though it’s great for its photographic potentialities, I luuuuurve the Castel Sant’Angelo for being a MOST excellent museum/historical experience. I have written about how great it is a… Read More All the Love for the Castel Sant’Angelo. Lurve too. and Looooooooooooooove

Brenna Graham7 Comments

The National Museums in Rome: Confusing, but not really. Mostly GREAT.

So, let’s say the Capitoline Museum isn’t really your bag, but you want to see some MOST excellent old stuff. May I suggest one of the branches of the National Roman Museum (Museo Nazionale Romano)? There are four branches of these archaeology museums: the Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, the Palazzo Altemps, the Crypta Balbi, and the… Read More The National Museums in Rome: Confusing, but not really. Mostly GREAT.

Brenna Graham8 Comments