Interactive Art Installation in Milan Park Encourages Olympic Reflection
A new community art initiative has been launched in the heart of Milan, inviting both residents and tourists to contemplate the core values of sport during the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. The project, titled "Together to Reflect," is situated within Biblioteca degli Alberi Milano, commonly known as BAM, a prominent public park in the city centre.
Mirrored Stakes Create Collective Artwork
The installation consists of numerous slender stakes topped with mirrors, forming a unique collective artwork. Participants are encouraged to write their personal thoughts and reflections about sports and the Olympic spirit directly onto these reflective surfaces. This creative endeavour was developed through a collaboration between BAM and NABA, Milan's prestigious academy of fine arts.
Francesca Colombo, BAM's cultural general director, emphasised the project's significance. "When people think about the Olympics, they often think only about sports, but the Games are not just about the athletes and the medals," she explained. "They are about values and this is where culture is so powerful; because through art—music, dance, ballet—it can transmit these values."
Public Engagement and Personal Stories
The project saw enthusiastic participation from visitors during its scheduled activity day. Anthony Cardamone, who discovered the initiative on Instagram, visited BAM with his wife and seven-year-old daughter specifically to take part. "For me, sport is about being together, it's about sharing and measuring your own abilities," Cardamone shared. His daughter contributed the word "brave" to one of the mirrored flowers, with Cardamone noting that the activity helped her understand sport's importance and beauty.
Roberta Massaccesi, a sports enthusiast who encountered the installation while strolling through the park, described how her son created a drawing expressing that sports benefit everyone. "We just went to a hockey match and it was the first time for me and him to join an Olympic event," she said. "It was amazing!"
Artistic Vision and Volunteer Involvement
Professor Chiara Vico from NABA highlighted the conceptual depth of the mirrored elements. "The idea is that, for a moment, the written thoughts and the person expressing it overlap," Vico stated. "So your reflection and your message become one." Students from the academy volunteered at the exhibition, assisting participants and facilitating the artistic process.
The "Together to Reflect" project serves as a cultural bridge during the Olympic period, using interactive art to foster community dialogue about the broader significance of sporting events beyond mere competition.
