CHICAGO—The Art Institute of Chicago announced that the Modern Wing, which will house the institute's collections of modern and contemporary art and is designed by Renzo Piano, will open to the public on May 16, 2009. The modern European collection will showcase works by artists such as Picasso, Matisse, and Wassily Kandinsky. The contemporary art collection will include the work of Jackson Pollock, de Kooning, and Eva Hesse. The opening show for the special exhibition galleries in the new wing will be Cy Twombly's "The Natural World, Selected Works 2001-2007," on view from May 16 – September 13, 2009.

"The opening of the Modern Wing is an historic moment for the Art Institute of Chicago," said Tom Pritzker, chairman of the board of trustees. "[It] signals to the world the cultural caliber of the city of Chicago and reaffirms its place as a leading cultural destination."

The Nichols Bridgeway, a pedestrian bridge also designed by Renzo Piano that connects the Modern Wing to Millennium Park, will open the same day. In celebration of the opening, admission to the museum will be free from opening day through Friday, May 22, 2009.