May 14th 2024.
It didn't take long at all. Just a few days after the exciting debut of two public sculptures that featured a real-time livestream between Dublin, Ireland and New York City, some unfortunate events have led to a temporary shutdown. It seems that there have been reports of "inappropriate behavior" happening during the interactions between people in these two cities. As a result, the creators of these sculptures have decided to take a step back to investigate and find a solution.
The sculptures, known as "The Portals," are round and lens-like installations that provide a constant video link between the two cities. This allows residents and visitors to engage and interact with one another, no matter the distance. However, videos on social media have surfaced, showing people behaving inappropriately by exposing their body parts to the other side. It's worth noting that these installations do not include audio.
According to a statement from the Dublin City Council, the team behind the sculptures is currently looking into possible technical solutions to address this issue caused by a small minority of individuals. They had hoped to find a solution by today, but unfortunately, their preferred option of blurring the images was not satisfactory. As a result, the city council has decided to turn off the live stream temporarily, while they explore other options. They plan to have the stream up and running again later this week.
The creators of the Portals, known as Portals.org, expressed their delight in the overwhelming number of people who have been enjoying and engaging with the project since its launch last week. They also mentioned that the majority of the interactions have been appropriate and respectful. However, it's important to address the issue of inappropriate behavior, and the team is working with their partners in both cities to find solutions.
Organizers in New York have also emphasized that this behavior is coming from a very small minority of visitors. They have had protocols in place since the launch of the Portal, including 24/7 on-site security and barriers to prevent people from stepping onto the installation. However, while the creators and their partners find ways to limit such behavior from appearing on the live stream, the New York Portal will be turned off for a few days starting Tuesday at 5 pm local time, according to Flatiron NoMad Partnership.
On the Dublin side, the Portal is located on the city's main street, O'Connell Street, while in New York, it can be found on the Flatiron South Public Plaza at Broadway, Fifth Avenue, and 23rd Street. The Portals were the brainchild of Lithuanian artist Benediktas Gylys, and their intention, according to Dublin's Lord Mayor Daithí de Róiste, was to foster global connections.
As Lord Mayor, de Róiste's main goal is to make the city more inclusive, and the Portals project perfectly embodies this vision. By bringing together technology, engineering, and art, these installations allow people from different communities and cultures to meet and connect outside of their social circles. In a news release on May 8, de Róiste expressed his excitement for the project's debut, stating that it will further strengthen the deep historical and cultural bond between the two cities.
The Lord Mayor also mentioned that in July, the Dublin Portal plans to connect with destinations in Poland, Brazil, and Lithuania. He encouraged Dubliners and visitors to come and interact with the sculpture, extending a warm Irish welcome and kindness to cities all over the world. This project is also part of the events lined up to coincide with Dublin's 2024 EU Capital of Smart Tourism Designation, a prestigious title that the city is proud to hold.
Finally, it's worth noting that this isn't the first time that these sculptures have bridged the gap between cities in real-time. In 2021, the first Portals linked Vilnius, Lithuania, with Lublin, Poland. This project continues to bring people together, creating meaningful connections and fostering understanding between different cultures.
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