Tony Cragg
Tony Cragg

Our guided walking tours in Milan always include a visit to the rooftop of the cathedral. When we climb the last few steps and reach the upper terrace, the view of the tall spire holding the majestic golden statue  of the Virgin Mary is a moment of pure awe.

But these days the “wow effect” is enhanced by  the presence of weird masses of stone and metal scattered on the upper terrace of Duomo. The mistery is soon unveiled: it is a monographic exhibition of pieces by British artist Tony Cragg, whose “Paradox” is already housed inside the cathedral.

Cragg’s works weigh tonnes, and yet, balancing on small bases,  they look weighless. Exactly like Milan’s Duomo, a solid mass of marble but at the same time a delicately yarned lace of statues,  pinnacles and flowered crests.

It is a sort of dialogue between modern and gothic art, surrounded by one of  the most fascinating view of the city. Add a sunny, warm April day, and magic is here.