Floralis Genérica

Named "Floralis Genérica" in homage to all flowers, this 20m-high, 18-tonne aluminium and stainless steel sculpture dominates the Plaza de las Naciones Unidas.

Unveiled in the year 2002, it was probably the world's first mobile public sculpture to be controlled by hydraulics and photoelectric sensors. It was donated to the city of Buenos Aires by its creator, the Argentine architect Eduardo Catalano, who in this piece realised his dream of creating a sculpture that would reflect the dynamism of time. Catalano once said the sculpture was "a synthesis of all the flowers and a hope that is reborn every day."

The six steel petals open at 8am each morning, and close at midnight. The petals also close in high winds in order to protect the sculpture, while on patriotic holidays they remain open all day.