On a day when most people talk about the romantic side of love, February 14, 2024, La Casa del Encuentro, an Argentinian non-profit, and the community came together to bring awareness to the more dangerous side of love, with a goal to educate and provide resources.

During 2023, more than half of the femicides, or murders of women, in Argentina were committed by partners or ex-partners of the victims. For too many Argentinian women, and women around the world, the same individuals who once bought them flowers are the ones taking their lives in the end. And that's the basis of the exhibition.

The Muero de Amor, or Dying for Love, exhibit showcased five beautiful bouquets that, behind their appearance, hid poisonous flowers, so lethal that they could cause sickness or even death.

Each toxic flower was chosen based on the damage they cause to the human body, which has a direct tie to the most common causes of death for women in Argentina at the hands of their partners or ex-partners. The flowers showcased include: Hemlock, contains alkaloids that can cause suffocation; Yellow Oleander, which contains cardiac glycosides that can cause a heart attack; Hydrangea, contains glycoside amygdalin that can cause difficulties to the respiratory system; Solanum Chrysotrichum, contains steroidal glycoalkaloids that can cause internal bleeding; and Atropa Belladonna, can cause lethargy, coma, and can lead to death.

The goal of the exhibition was to provide support and information about cycles of violence, as well as raise awareness about the dangers of a violent relationship, especially one that, at first glance, may go unnoticed. Visitors to the exhibit were able to scan QR codes on each flower display to learn more and find resources.

The bouquets were created by Linos Deco & Flowers in collab with Luana Menna, a florist biologist and Ignacio Gallo, a toxicological biochemist.

To learn more about La Casa del Encuentro, please visit: https://www.lacasadelencuentro.org/femicidios.html