Carla Garcia Leija – Week 1 | A warm welcome to Milan
Even though we have only been in Milan for less than three full days, I am continuously wowed by everything I have seen. Going on a guided tour of the Duomo, Galleria, and surrounding areas was so interesting; I enjoyed learning about the nuances of Milan’s history, from the fact that marble can get sick to the context of the Biscione (snake eating a child), Milan’s symbol.
It’s challenging (in the best way) to wrap my head around the fact that such beautiful architecture, design, and life are outside my window, and that I can witness revolutionary art just a metro ride away. This trip has come at a point in my education and career: my practice is new and malleable enough for the takeaways of this trip to influence the rest of my work, but developed enough that I can approach this work from a comparative and analytical perspective.
View of the Duomo on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Photo by Carla Garcia LeijaThe inside of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Photo by Carla Garcia Leija.A grgoyle adorning the Duomo. Per Roberto, it serves as a rain gutter as well; when it rains, water shoots from its mouth. Photo by Carla Garcia Leija.The Madonnina, a statue of the Virgin Mary that sits atop the Duomo. By tradition, no building can be taller than her, so, when skyscrapers or other high buildings are constructed, a miniature version of the Madonnina is placed atop them. Photo by Carla Garcia LeijaThe view of Milan from the Duomo’s rooftop. Photo by Carla Garcia Leija.The view of the Piazza del Duomo from the Duomo’s rooftop. Photo by Carla Garcia LeijaProf. Kate Catterall observes the Duomo on a guided tour of its rooftop, led by Roberto Andreoni. Photo by Carla Garcia Leija.A view of the entrance to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Photo by Carla Garcia Leija
