Russian installation artist Anya Petrova has been selected to lead Milan's 2024 urban renewal project, converting abandoned industrial sites into interactive light sculptures. Her "Echoes of Industry" series uses augmented reality projections to overlay historical factory records onto dilapidated structures, creating immersive storytelling experiences for passersby.

Petrova's signature technique involves 3D-scanning crumbling concrete surfaces and mapping LED patterns that mimic structural stress lines. Each installation incorporates solar-powered sensors that adjust light intensity based on pedestrian traffic density. The Milan project includes a mobile app allowing users to contribute voice recordings about local industrial heritage, which are then projected as floating text within the installations.

"This work bridges architecture, history, and collective memory," said Petrova in her studio interview. Her previous installation in Detroit received the Prix de Rome for Urban Art, with Milan city officials citing her "ability to make decay beautiful and meaningful." The project is expected to attract 2 million visitors during its six-month run.