Aug 8, 2010: Floris Genérica

[xoxoxoBruce]

A popular attraction in Buenos Aires is Floris Genérica, a huge sculpture/robot, of a flower.



This picture of it, the best by far, was taken by Trey Ratcliff , and posted on his flickr page.

Standing in the center of the Plaza Naciones Unidas (United Nations Plaza), in a 40-meter reflecting pool, the flower was erected in 2002 as a gift from architect Eduardo Catalano. The use of the term 'Genérica' in its name suggests that it is a symbol of all flowers in the world. Opinions differ about it’s beauty but there is no questioning that the flower is a powerful, modern symbol of technology and nature.

The shiny flower consists of 6 petals (each measuring 13 meters long and 7 meters wide) and 4 pistons. The petals close in the evening from sunset to sunup; a 20-minute process mimicking the actual movement of a flower.

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