It will be done in the Rose Garden and there are already claims similar to those of the Botanical Garden

Hear

The “immersive exhibition” Secret Garden, which sparked a controversy between environmental groups, the National Commission of Historical Monuments and the Buenos Aires government for using the Botanical Garden as a setting in July and August 2023, returns to Buenos Aires. This time it will be held at the Palermo Rose Garden, in the Parque 3 de Febrero, from July 1 to 31, starting at 6:30 p.m. The tickets for Secret Garden Origins (from $8,500 for children under 17 years of age and 9,900 for adults, in addition to the “family packs”) are now on sale.

Organized by the Spanish company Proactiv Entertainment and 6 Pasos – which in the press release are credited with the “rediscovery” of “thousands of people”, a year ago, of the Botanical Garden -, the new lighting and immersive exhibition of “artentertainment”, which combines art and entertainment, will include screenings, mappingsaugmented reality, low-consumption LED light points, neon roses and fountains with dancing waters.

From the Ministry of Public Space and Urban Hygiene, headed by Ignacio Baistrocchi, they confirmed that the producers of Secret Garden They have permission from the Buenos Aires government and that it had been decided to do it in the Rose Garden because it is a public park and not a place of study or conservation like the Botanical Garden. Until now, the cost of the rental has not been reported (that of the Botanical Garden for the month of July, in 2023, had been $3,215,000). They highlighted that the event takes place in more than sixty cities around the world.

LA NACION was able to learn that on Monday the 17th, in the early morning hours, The transformation work on the Rose Garden began, which included the unloading of several containers in the Patio Andaluz sector, the installation of chemical toilets and a plastic arch at the entrance on Sarmiento Avenue. In addition, the layout of the trails was altered for the installation of wiring and other preparations..

The intervention in the Rosedal could generate a new conflict between the authorities of the Buenos Aires government and the neighbors, who have already sent emails to legislators and officials (among others, to the deputy head of government, Clara Muzzio, and Juan Vacas, undersecretary of Urban Landscape). and also to the Spanish embassy (for the preservation of the Patio Andaluz, donated by the city of Seville to the city of Buenos Aires).

“The essence of these gardens lies in their ability to reveal their beauty through natural elements,” reads the letter from the neighbors requesting the preservation of the Rose Garden. He true secret of these spaces is discovered with the rays of the sun that illuminate its flowers, with the morning dew that refreshes its leaves or with the raindrops that enliven its colors and aromas. It is in these interactions with nature where gardens find their greatest expression and meaning.”

The environmental group Enough of Mutilating Our Trees released a statement about the return of Secret Garden in which it is remembered that he Palermo Rose Garden was declared Cultural Heritage of the city of Buenos Aires by the Legislature of the city of Buenos Aires on April 14, 2011 (this implies that any restoration or new work done on the property must respect the original design). “It does not seem to be the vision of the authorities since it will not be that design that those who visit it could admire during the installation of the exhibition. Secret Garden -expresses the statement-. If the intention is to carry out this light and sound show there as was done in the Botanical Garden last year, despite the contrary opinions of citizens and specialists in environment and heritage, we think that they continue to insist on trivializing the landscape heritage. and cultural and in affecting the life cycles of the flora and fauna of public spaces”.

And he continues: “As in other interventions and disposals of our green spaces, their environmental functions, the heritage and landscape meaning given to them by citizens and the necessary silence and tranquility they provide to those of us who travel through and enjoy them are unknown. Let’s also not forget that, being a public space, there should be no entrance fee. If we add that, in the installation of cables, food trucks, plastic and metal objects, lights, etc. The trees, the living green vegetation, the grass (which is prohibited to step on) and all objects of historical value such as fountains, bridges, sculptures, benches are damaged. We ask ourselves, who will pay for the damage and restoration? “It is not justified to endanger our parks for shows that only economically benefit a few.”

Secret Garden Origins It will have nineteen immersive installations designed around the concept of “origin.” Each interactive “post” will represent a different facet of the origin: of life, of the universe, of nature, of animals, of emotions, of human connections and of the cosmos. They are titled Portico, Faunia, Lumine, Birth, Introspection, Childhood, Happiness, Fire, Rainbow, Particles, Divinity, Rose Garden, The Secret, Spring, Pillars, Connections, Roots, Human Sounds and Colors.

The nighttime show, the producers anticipate, will call on the public to “rethink” their role in the care and preservation of nature. “Through the beauty of light and art, it reminds us of the importance of planet Earth as our shared home in the cosmos,” it is reported. “This immersive light experience is not only a festival of colors and shapes, but also a poetic reminder of our connection to the universe and the responsibility we have towards our earthly home.”

Located in Parque 3 de Febrero, the Rose Garden is home to more than ninety different species of roses that grow in the garden. designed by the landscaper and agronomist Benito Carrasco, disciple of the French architect and landscaper Carlos Thays. Among the rose bushes there are busts of famous poets, including Dante Alighieri, Jorge Luis Borges, José Martí, Antonio Machado, Rosalía de Castro, Federico García Lorca and Alfonsina Storni. In addition, you can visit the Patio Andaluz, built in 1929 and gifted by the city of Seville, and cross the White Bridge (also called Hellenic or Greek) that crosses the lake.

In 2012 and 2014, the Rose Garden obtained the international Garden Excellence Award from the World Federation of Rose Societies.