Aug 8, 2010: Floris Genérica
 

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

http://cellar.org/2010/solarflower.jpg

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

link

I saw this last year and although I like the concept of it and admire the engineering and structural work that has gone into making it a reality, I actually think it's incredibly ugly.

Not for me, but, I can see how someone else might find it gaze-worthy.

Reminds me of the vast fields of flowers in Ringworld, I believe, that pivot around and focus the suns rays with their parabolic shiny petals to zap anything that dares to grow taller than them. Together, a field of these flowers can focus enough sunlight on a single spot to vaporize their target.

The artist built it so he can pick up free HBO. He only tells people it's supposed to be a flower.

And where does one hide when the great big gigantic ferocious hungry metal bees show up?

I like it :D

:lol2:

Now that I've finished laughing, there are soooooooooooo many amazing things about Buenos Aires: this sculpture isn't one of them. I'm sure that in 30 years or less, it'll be a white elephant, particularly if the city drops off the lists of prime tourist destinations.

I think it's beautiful.
Beautiful as it is in the picture - static - and wonderful (making me full of wonder) knowing it is robotic and responds to the sun.

I think it is in that picture, but some others I've seen on the web, not so much.
It is intriguing mechanically, however.

What's has less novelty value, but is more amazing about Bs. As. than Floris Generica? (Starting the fan club as of....NOW!...sigh-would be great to be able to drop over for a weekend whenever I felt like it).

Puerto Madero - the old wharf prettied up with expensive restaurants and opposite the boat casino
La Boca and Caminito - Birthplace of the Tango where all the houses painted in bright colours are. Probably the most famous landmark in the city.
El Tigre Delta
Recoleta Cementery where Eva Peron was buried.
The Pink House-the seat of government
The Cathedral where the body of San Martin - Liberator of the Andes is kept
The Obelisk
9 de Julio Ave-10 million lanes of traffic going each way.
Havana Alfajores-like a wagon wheel only with caramelised condensed milk instead of marshmellow.
The Colon Theatre
San Telmo Markets
La Viruta - not sure if it's a tango club or a milonguera.
and that's just the beginning of the list.

Buenos Aires-Obelisk
 

This is the Obelisk and 9 de Julio Ave-captures the energy of Bs. As.

http://www.lugaresbuenosaires.com/wp...enos-aires.gif

The casino looks only slightly less tacky in the picture than it does in real life.



If the pic doesn't appear in the post, Bruce or Wolf, can you help out?

Bugger, none of it worked. Here's the tacky floating casino again.

http://www.lugaresbuenosaires.com/wp...enos-aires.jpg

http://www.lugaresbuenosaires.com/wp...enos-aires.jpg

http://www.lugaresbuenosaires.com/wp...enos-aires.gif

Casi, I didn't realize there were so many "flatiron" buildings.
But the one in Caminito certainly is the the most eye-catching.