The renowned Floralis Generica sculpture, an emblematic symbol of Buenos Aires, Argentina, suffered damage during a powerful storm that swept through the city on Sunday, December 18. The storm’s high-speed winds were responsible for causing one of the six petals of the colossal flower-shaped statue to fall to the ground, sparking widespread attention on social media.
Así quedó Floralis Genérica, la icónica flor de metal de Buenos Aires, tras el fuerte temporal en la capital argentina. pic.twitter.com/olMvFGDnL5— Sepa Más (@Sepa_mass) December 17, 2023
Así quedó Floralis Genérica, la icónica flor de metal de Buenos Aires, tras el fuerte temporal en la capital argentina. pic.twitter.com/bSvn5dpGkK— RT en Español (@ActualidadRT) December 17, 2023
#Temporal Floralis Genérica. CABA. pic.twitter.com/bWr2RiiPjR— M.de E. (@mdeelia02) December 17, 2023
According to the local news reports, a minimum of 15 individuals lost their lives in Argentina due to adverse meteorological conditions, with 13 fatalities reported in Buenos Aires and two in Litoral. The turbulent storm inflicted significant material damage, power outages and road impairments in the province of Buenos Aires and the Metropolitan Area of the capital. The wind velocity reached a peak of 152 km/h, causing havoc that also extended to the Ezeiza and Aeroparque airports, both of which sustained damage.
What is Floralis Generica?
Floralis Generica is a colossal statue shaped like a flower, constructed with large aluminium pieces and equipped with a mechanical system that allows its petals to open and close. This monumental work of art was a generous gift from architect Eduardo Catalano to his native city, Buenos Aires. Catalano commenced work on Floralis Generica in late 2001, and it was officially inaugurated on April 13, 2002. Currently situated in the United Nations Square, the sculpture is among the most frequented monuments by tourists in Buenos Aires, alongside the iconic Obelisk.
Significance of Generic Floralis:
The name Floralis Generica combines ‘floralis,’ the scientific term for flowers, with ‘generica,’ referring to all flowers in general. Catalano aimed to portray the dynamism of the modern world and its connection with nature through this iconic sculpture.
Floralis Generica is one of the few mechanised sculptures in Argentina, featuring a sophisticated hydraulic system that enables its petals to move. Similar to natural flowers, the petals open and close based on the position of the sun, remaining open during the day and closed at night. The mechanism also responds to strong winds by closing the petals to prevent damage.
Despite facing some mechanical issues in the past, the Floralis Generica underwent repairs in 2015, restoring its functionality.