'Portal' Between New York and Dublin Disabled Due to Inappropriate Behavior
New York City, 15 May 2024 -
The "Portal" art exhibit, designed to visually connect New York City and Dublin through real-time video, was temporarily disabled due to inappropriate behavior by its users.
The large-scale installation, conceived by Lithuanian artist Benediktas Gylys, went live on 8 May 2024, connecting people in Manhattan's Flatiron district with those in Dublin's O'Connell Street. However, the exhibit was shut down due to disruptive actions, including inappropriate gestures and offensive imagery.
Gylys expressed his surprise at the extent of misuse and revealed plans to implement monitoring software that could blur the screen to deter bad behavior. Despite the setbacks, Gylys remains committed to his vision of fostering global interconnectedness through art.
The Flatiron NoMad Partnership and Dublin City Council, sponsors of the exhibit, highlighted that the troubling behavior was propagated by a small minority. They are exploring technical solutions to ensure the Portal offers a positive experience moving forward.
Gylys envisions expanding the Portal network to connect cities worldwide, emphasizing the project's potential to unite people across different cultures.
New York City continues to anticipate the Portal's return, pending the implementation of the proposed countermeasures.