ROME – British artist and filmmaker Isaac Julien’s All That Changes You. Metamorphosis is presented at the Borghese Uccelliera until 25 October 2026. For contemporary-art travellers, its interest lies in the meeting between an international film work and one of Villa Borghese’s historic buildings.
A different way to encounter classical myth
The film draws inspiration from Giulio Romano’s frescoes at Palazzo Te in Mantua. Actors Sheila Atim and Gwendoline Christie lead a journey through different settings and times, connecting stories of transformation with questions about humanity, other living beings and the environment.
Locations include London’s Cosmic House and California’s redwood forests. This geographical range gives international visitors points of entry beyond an exclusively Italian story. The work is not a conventional documentary about a Rome monument; its landscapes and architecture contribute to a speculative visual narrative.
Why the Roman setting matters
The Uccelliera was built in the seventeenth century to house exotic birds. For this space, Julien reworked an installation originally conceived for ten screens into a single-channel version with mirrors. Reflections become part of how the audience encounters the image.
The installation relates to the Borghese Gallery’s Ovid exhibition but has a later announced closing date. Treat it as a separate visit to plan, especially if you will be in Rome after the main exhibition ends. Admission arrangements and subtitles must be confirmed before it becomes a firm item in your itinerary.
Practical information
Announced dates: 15 September 2026–25 October 2026.
Venue: Uccelliera, Villa Borghese; museum reference address Piazzale Scipione Borghese 5, Rome.
Museum visiting hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 9am–7pm; last admission 5.45pm, in two-hour slots. Closed Monday. The official visitor page states that temporary exhibitions are integrated into the museum route.
Price and booking: temporary exhibitions are included in the museum ticket. Standard admission €16 plus a compulsory €2 booking fee; ages 18–25 pay €2 plus booking; under-18s enter free but still pay the booking fee. Temporary shows may add a surcharge, so check the final checkout total.
Getting there: take Metro A to Flaminio and walk through Villa Borghese. Depending on your route, buses 116, 360, 490, 495, 590, 89 and 910 serve stops around the park. The museum reference address is Piazzale Scipione Borghese 5.
Language and running time: English subtitles and total viewing duration have not been confirmed.
Official information: https://galleriaborghese.cultura.gov.it/dal-15-settembre-all-that-changes-you-metamorphosis-di-isaac-julien/ ; visitor enquiries ga-bor.info@cultura.gov.it.
Explore other options in our free Rome Travel Guide: https://www.topromestreetfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/RomeTravelGuide.pdf
