02/08/26 12:19:00
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02/08 12:17 CST Olympic art project in a Milan park invites the public to
'reflect' on the Games' spirit
Olympic art project in a Milan park invites the public to 'reflect' on the
Games' spirit
By MARIA TERESA HERNANDEZ
Associated Press
MILAN (AP) --- A project in Olympics host city Milan has invited parkgoers to
reflect on the values of sport --- both figuratively and literally.
"Together to Reflect" was conceived as a collective artwork that takes shape as
slender stakes topped with mirrors, on which people write their thoughts about
sports and the Games.
Anthony Cardamone was scrolling through Instagram when the initiative caught
his eye. That prompted him to head to a corner of the public park known by its
Italian acronym BAM with his wife and 7-year-old daughter on Sunday. It was the
only day scheduled for people to write their messages.
"For me, sport is about being together, it's about sharing and measuring your
own abilities," said Cardamone, whose daughter wrote the word "brave" on one of
the dozens of mirrored flowers.
"This activity helps her understand why sport is important and how beautiful it
can be," he added.
The project was developed by BAM and NABA, Milan's academy of fine arts.
"When people think about the Olympics, they often think only about sports, but
the Games are not just about the athletes and the medals," said Francesca
Colombo, BAM's cultural general director. "They are about values and this is
where culture is so powerful; because through art --- music, dance, ballet ---
it can transmit these values."
Roberta Massaccesi, a sports enthusiast who happened to be strolling through
BAM when she spotted the mirrors, said her son asked to participate. He made a
drawing expressing that sports are good for everyone.
"We just went to a hockey match and it was the first time for me and him to
join an Olympic event," Massaccessi said. "It was amazing!"
Students from NABA were among volunteers at the exhibition. Professor Chiara
Vico said the mirrors enable people to see their face as they share their
thoughts.
"The idea is that, for a moment, the written thoughts and the person expressing
it overlap," Vico said. "So your reflection and your message become one."
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AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
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Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's
collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc.
The AP is solely responsible for this content.
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