extra MAXXI Unites 1900s Futurism and the Digital Frontier

By Alyssa | WhatsOn local events writer Alyssa picks out timely events, local favourites and useful places to eat, stay and explore.

Rome’s architectural triumph, the Zaha Hadid-designed MAXXI, is bridging a century of artistic radicalism with its upcoming winter blockbuster, extra MAXXI: Sensing the Future. Opening in late November and running through the start of 2027, this thought-provoking exhibition brings the fiery pioneers of historical Italian Futurism face-to-face with today’s boundary-pushing digital creators. It is a thrilling exploration of speed, simultaneity, and technological upheaval, pulling heavyweights like Umberto Boccioni, Giacomo Balla, and Filippo Tommaso Marinetti into a direct and dazzling dialogue with modern immersive works. For anyone invested in how Italy's historic avant-garde continues to shape our creative tomorrow, this ranks as one of the standout MAXXI exhibitions Rome will see this winter, seamlessly linking the radical past with our increasingly virtual present.

Canvas Masterpieces Meet the Glowing Screen

Stepping into the sweeping, non-linear galleries of MAXXI, you immediately feel the deliberate tension between the physical and the digital. The exhibition does not just hang paintings on a wall; it creates an immersive sensory clash. In one visual field, you have the thick, textured brushstrokes and frantic geometry of early 20th-century Futurist canvases, capturing the roar of early automobiles and the fracture of modern cities. Turn slightly, and those same themes are echoed in the quiet hum of high-resolution digital projections and algorithmic art installations.

The curation cleverly plays with scale and lighting. The historic works are treated with intense reverence, spot-lit to highlight the visceral quality of the paint and bronze, while the contemporary digital pieces wash entire concrete walls in shifting, code-generated colours. You are encouraged to wander rather than march in a straight line, letting the concept of 'simultaneity'—a core Futurist obsession—wash over you as overlapping sounds from video art installations blend with the quiet footsteps of other visitors on the polished floors.

A Bold Crowd in Zaha Hadid's Concrete Curves

The audience this exhibition draws is as eclectic as the artwork itself. On a crisp winter afternoon, the soaring, light-filled atriums become a sanctuary for Rome’s creative community. You will spot local architecture students tracing the swooping lines of Hadid's staircases in their sketchbooks, mingling with international art collectors and tech enthusiasts debating the modern implications of artificial intelligence just steps away from Marinetti's original manifestos.

There is a distinct energy here that you rarely find in the city's classical antiquity museums. Conversations bounce warmly off the stark concrete walls, and visitors linger on the ramps, leaning over the glass balustrades to point out visual connections between the floors. It feels less like a quiet archive and more like an active, buzzing laboratory of ideas, where families point out swirling digital colours to mesmerised children, and groups of friends dissect the meaning of speed over espresso in the museum café.

Know Before You Go

• Advance booking: While you can purchase entry on the day, booking online drops the price to EUR 14 and lets you skip the queue. You can secure your spot through the MAXXI official event page.
• Getting there: Navigating to the Flaminio district is straightforward. The most scenic and direct route is taking Tram 2 from the Flaminio Metro A station, just outside Piazza del Popolo, and alighting at the Apollodoro stop.
• Pacing your visit: Set aside at least two hours for the exhibition itself, plus extra time to simply appreciate the building's intricate layout and browse the excellent independent bookshop on the ground floor.
• Baggage rules: Large bags and heavy winter coats must be checked in at the lower-level cloakroom. It is an entirely free service and leaves you unencumbered to explore the sweeping ramps comfortably.

Make a Weekend of It

Make the most of your excursion to Rome’s northern quarter by taking a gentle stroll across the Tiber after your museum visit. Crossing the river into the elegant Prati district brings you within easy reach of Vinsanto Vino & Cucina on Viale dei Bastioni di Michelangelo. It is the perfect, welcoming environment to debrief on the art you have just seen over generous sharing boards. If you are exploring the Monti neighborhood earlier in the day, the gourmet sandwiches at Zia Rosetta offer a fantastic quick bite before heading to the museum. For a classic sit-down Roman dinner near the river, Osteria di Ponte provides a charming atmosphere, while pasta lovers might prefer taking transit to the historic center for the famously authentic dishes at Osteria da Fortunata - Pantheon.

Later, jump on the Metro A line and alight at Piazza di Spagna for a decadent evening treat at Venchi Cioccolato e Gelato, Roma Via della Croce, Piazza di Spagna. Grab a rich dark chocolate and pistachio cone, and take a leisurely, atmospheric stroll through the crisp Roman evening as the city lights reflect off the cobblestones.

I’ll be the one marvelling at Boccioni's brushstrokes on opening weekend—see you in the galleries. — Alyssa for What's On Rome