Blue plastic snails fund Milan cathedral restoration

Fifty light-blue plastic snails are to go on show on the upper terrace of Milan's cathedral to help raise money for restoration. The installation, entitled 'Regeneration', is the work of the international art collective Cracking Art Group and aims to generate funds to restore the main spire that supports the statue of Milan's famed golden Madonnina. The snails, weighing 13 kg each, will be on show from October 8-13. Blue has been chosen to evoke the Madonna's veil and the water of regenerative baptism. The artists have also created a limited edition of 100 smaller snails that will be on sale for a minimum of 1,000 euros each at the Glauco Cavaciuti Arte gallery. Net proceeds will go to the Venerable Factory, the organisation responsible for maintaining and restoring the cathedral. Donations will also be accepted at an inaugural dinner on October 8, prepared by the celebrity chef Gualtiero Marchesi.