Floralis Genérica

Nothing can quite prepare you for the immense scale of the stainless-steel flower, Floralis Genérica. This soaring monument, over 20m high, by Argentine architect Eduardo Catalano is located on the lush lawns of the Plaza de las Naciones Unidas (beside the Facultad de Derecho and Parque Thays), about halfway between the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes Museo Nacional de Bellas Artesand Museo de Arte Moderno de Buenos Aires. With hydraulics and photoelectric cells, the petals were designed to automatically open during the day and fold closed at night although the piece has been damaged by severe storms in recent years. Work is underway to repair the mechanism which will allow the petals to move once again and ensure the longevity of the sculpture.