Did you know that this giant metallic flower is more than just a pretty sculpture? It’s the Floralis Genérica. The Floralis Genérica is a modern landmark of Buenos Aires. It stands tall in Plaza Naciones Unidas near Recoleta.
The Floralis Genérica is a gift from architect Eduardo Catalano. He donated it to Buenos Aires. It was installed in 2001. Catalano also designed the U.S. embassies in Buenos Aires and Pretoria. He even came out of retirement to design this flower.
This impressive structure is perfect for photos. The green surroundings offer a relaxing escape. It’s a great stop between Recoleta and Palermo Chico. The sculpture is also known as ‘Flor Metálica’ or ‘Escultura de la Flor’ by locals.
The Floralis Genérica is about 20 meters tall. It weighs 18 tons. It features six metallic petals made of stainless steel and aluminum. A cascading water fountain surrounds it. This enhances its beauty.
The flower’s petals open and close. This mimics a real flower under sunlight. At night, the petals close. They reopen around 8:00 am each morning. The closing time varies by season. It’s around 7:00 pm in summer and 4:00 pm in winter.
The Floralis Genérica is controlled by hydraulics and photoelectric sensors. It was the world’s first mobile public sculpture with this technology. Catalano wanted the sculpture to reflect the dynamism of time. He called it a synthesis of all flowers. He saw it as a hope reborn every day.
The petals also close in high winds. This protects the sculpture. On patriotic holidays, they stay open all day. There are other special nights too. The petals remain open on May 25, September 21, December 24, and December 31. They also open fully on full moon nights.
Sadly, in December 2023, a big storm damaged the Floralis Genérica. One of its petals blew off.
The water mirror it stands on is 44 meters in diameter. It is a shallow 0.15 meters deep. The water overflows into a surrounding moat. This water is then channeled to a pump room.
The Floralis Genérica represents all flowers of the world. It stands as a symbol of hope. It’s a reminder of the beauty and resilience of nature.