Olympic art project in a Milan park invites the public to 'reflect' on the Games' spirit

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A view of a mirrored flower bearing a handwritten message as part of “Together to Reflect,” an interactive community art project by BAM, the acronym for Biblioteca degli Alberi Milano, a public park in central Milan inviting the public to share thoughts on the values of sport, during the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/María Teresa Hernández)

Anthony Cardamone walks with his daughter among mirrored flowers during “Together to Reflect,” an interactive community art project by BAM, the acronym for Biblioteca degli Alberi Milano, a public park in central Milan inviting the public to share thoughts on the values of sport, during the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/María Teresa Hernández) — A view of a mirrored flower bearing a handwritten message as part of “Together to Reflect,” an interactive community art project by BAM, the acronym for Biblioteca degli Alberi Milano, a public park in central Milan inviting the public to share thoughts on the values of sport, during the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/María Teresa Hernández)

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10:17 AM on Sunday, February 8

By MARÍA TERESA HERNÁNDEZ

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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