Floralis Henerika or the Generic Flower in Latin, is one of the most
brilliant and fascinating artistic monument, made of steel and aluminum in
Buenos Aires, Argentina. At the heart of the Plaza Naciones Unidas of United
Nations Square, in the 40-meter mirror pond, the Floralis Generica, a giant
silver flower, has been a striking city landmark since it opened in 2002. The
sculpture was created and paid for Sculptra Eduardo Catalano. this flower is
being 23 metres high and weighing in at 18 tonnes. When the petals are open they
span 32 metres and when closed only 16 metres. One of the fascinating features of this sculpture is that it acts like a real flower in that its gigantic petals are open during the day and then close for the night with a red glow emanating from within. Catalano once said that the flower "is a synthesis of all the flowers and is both a hope that is reborn every day to open."




There are four special nights a year where the petals remain open: 25th May, 21st September and the 24th and 31st of December.The Steel Flower is actually made of stainless steel and aluminium and sits in the centre of a pool of water which reflects the flower and also protects it from vandals.