Marina Abramović Brings 80th-Birthday Retrospective to GNAMC Rome

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

Rome is set to host the largest retrospective devoted to Marina Abramović ever mounted in the Italian capital, taking over the neoclassical halls of the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea (GNAMC). Organised in collaboration with the Modern Art Museum (MAM) Shanghai to mark the pioneering artist's 80th birthday, Marina Abramović: Historical Works and Transforming Energy brings together legendary performance archives alongside participatory sculptural installations. Spanning landmark works such as Imponderabilia, Balkan Baroque, and The Artist Is Present, the exhibition offers a rare, profound look at Abramović's six decades of testing the physical boundaries of the human body and mind.

Raw Performance and Transitory Minerals

Walking through the exhibition reveals a deliberate contrast between raw historical tension and contemplative physical stillness. In one gallery, archival video projections capture the endurance and physical stamina of Abramović's formative performance years, where the harsh sounds of heavy breathing, whispered chants, and striking footsteps reverberate off the gallery's high, vaulted ceilings. Turn the corner, however, and the atmosphere shifts into complete sensory absorption. A core highlight of the show is the collection of Transitory Objects—structures crafted from raw quartz, amethysts, tourmaline, and polished stone. Unlike traditional museum displays where visitors are warned to keep their distance, these pieces invite you to actively interact: you are encouraged to recline on smooth crystal slabs, press your forehead against mineral pillars, and experience the quiet exchange of temperature and weight beneath your fingertips.

A Gathering of Restless Explorers

The crowd drawn to Abramović's work is uniquely dedicated, uniting curious local Romans, international students from nearby architectural academies, and seasoned contemporary art pilgrims from across the globe. You will notice visitors taking long, measured breaths in the darkened screening chambers, watching early endurance experiments unfold in near-reverent silence. In the mineral rooms, a shared hushed focus takes over as complete strangers take turns sitting calmly before heavy stone monoliths. There is no rushed gallery hopping here; people linger, reflect, and silently participate in the communal atmosphere that Abramović has cultivated across the world for over half a century.

Know Before You Go

• Book your timed entry slot well in advance through the TicketOne booking portal, particularly for weekend mornings and holiday periods when demand is highest.
• Check full curatorial details and seasonal gallery hours on the official GNAMC event page before setting out.
• Plan to arrive at least fifteen minutes prior to your allocated slot on Viale delle Belle Arti to clear security checks smoothly.
• While standard entry grants access to all galleries, queues can form inside during peak periods to sit with or recline on individual Transitory Objects, so budget at least two unhurried hours for the entire visit.
• Travel light and make use of the gallery's cloakroom, as large rucksacks, tripods, and bulky bags are strictly prohibited in the performance screening zones.
• The museum offers step-free access and lifts between levels, ensuring physical installations remain fully accessible.

Make a Weekend of It

A morning spent exploring the grand halls of GNAMC sets up a classic Roman day around northern Rome and the historic centre. After wandering down from Parioli towards the city core, head across the Tiber to enjoy rich handmade pasta in a classic setting at Ristorante Alfredo alla Scrofa - Wikipedia, celebrated for its legendary fettuccine and vibrant trattoria buzz. If you prefer to meander past the Pantheon later in the afternoon, take a seat at Zia Rosetta for tender scaloppine and fried Roman-style artichokes tucked away on a quiet side street.

For a sweet pick-me-up near the Spanish Steps, drop by Venchi Cioccolato e Gelato, Roma Via della Croce, Piazza di Spagna to sample silky pistachio and rich dark chocolate cones under the Roman afternoon light. When evening arrives, stroll south through the ancient quarters to Pizzeria della Madonna dei Monti for crispy wood-fired Roman pizza and local craft beer in the heart of Monti. If you find yourself marveling at the evening floodlights around the ancient amphitheatre, settle in nearby at Ristoro della Salute for traditional plates and views across Piazza del Colosseo.

I will see you among the marble steps of GNAMC as Rome welcomes one of contemporary art's most transformative voices, Alyssa.