Extravagant floral installations descend on Córdoba’s famous courtyards

Some of the world’s best flower artists have descended upon Córdoba, Spain, to show off their talent and compete in the inaugural Flora, International Flower Festival. In eight public courtyards around the city, the artists have crafted eye-catching floral installations inspired by the city’s heritage and the famous courtyards themselves.

“[The Festival] presents an unprecedented cultural exchange between such a traditional space as the patios of Córdoba and such a contemporary and surprising art as the floral installations, a kind of dialogue between tradition and innovation meant to become a must within the Spanish cultural agenda,” reads a description of the event.

But Flora is about more than drawing tourists to Córdoba, it entails the first global prize of its kind awarded to flower artists. This year, first prize and €60,000 (roughly $70,500) was awarded to the American floral art studio Waterlily Pond, headed by Natasha Lisitsa and Daniel Schultz. Inspired by the whirl of a flamenco dancer’s skirt, Lisitsa and Schultz created “Duende”—a pink arabesque made of flowers and tulle ribbon.

Second place went to Belgian artist Tomas De Bruyne for “Paradise: Delirium and Desire” and third place was awarded to the Australian studio Loose Leaf for “Free Fall.”

The installations will be on view through October 29.

Via: Designboom