Controversial Incident Halts Dublin to New York City Connection
A unique livestream sculpture installation that linked Dublin, Ireland, and New York City has faced a temporary shutdown due to controversial and inappropriate incidents occurring within the installation.
It didn't take long for "The Portals" to run into trouble. Less than a week after the public sculptures were unveiled, there was a temporary shutdown due to inappropriate behavior during real-time interactions between Dublin, Ireland, and New York City.
The sculptures, resembling round lenses, were meant to connect residents and visitors in the two cities through a 24/7 video link. However, social media videos revealed instances of people engaging in inappropriate behavior, such as flashing body parts, with those on the other side. It's important to note that the installation does not have audio.
The Dublin City Council stated that the creators of the sculptures are currently exploring ways to address the inappropriate behavior of a small group of individuals in front of the Portal.
New Yorkers greet people in Dublin during the reveal of The Portal, a public technology sculpture that links with direct connection between Dublin, Ireland and the Flatiron district in Manhattan, in New York City, U.S., May 8, 2024. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
New Yorkers in Dublin got a warm welcome during the unveiling of The Portal. This public technology sculpture creates a direct connection between Dublin, Ireland and the Flatiron district in Manhattan, New York City. The event took place on May 8, 2024. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid captured the moment. Brendan McDermid/Reuters.
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Dublin City Council wanted to find a solution by today, but the preferred option of blurring was not good enough, as stated by the City Council on Tuesday. The team responsible for the sculptures, Portals.org, is now exploring other possibilities.
The live stream was scheduled to be turned off at 10 p.m. on Tuesday, with the hope that Portals.org would be able to resume it later in the week.
"We are thrilled to see the overwhelming response to the Portal since its launch last week," the statement mentioned. "It has quickly become a global sensation, and it is worth mentioning that the majority of individuals engaging with the Dublin Portal have been respectful."
The Portals were created by Lithuanian artist Benediktas Gylys.
People view the live stream between Dublin and New York, in Dublin, Ireland, on May 13.
People view the live stream between Dublin and New York, in Dublin, Ireland, on May 13.
Niall Carson/PA via AP
CNN Travel reached out to Portals.org and partners in the project on the New York side but did not immediately receive responses.
On the Dublin side, you can find the portal facing O’Connell Street, the main street of the capital city. In New York, the portal sculpture is situated at the Flatiron South Public Plaza, right at the intersection of Broadway, Fifth Avenue, and 23rd Street.
According to Dublin’s Lord Mayor, Daithí de Róiste, the project was created with the aim of strengthening global connections.
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The Portals project, announced on May 8 by Lord Mayor de Róiste, aims to make the City more inclusive. It combines technology, engineering, and art to unite communities globally, promoting connections beyond social circles and cultures. The Lord Mayor highlighted the strong historical and cultural ties between the two cities.
In July, Dublin is set to have flights to Poland, Brazil, and Lithuania, as mentioned in de Róiste's statement.
de Róiste's statement on May 8 urged people in Dublin and visitors to the city to engage with the sculpture and show hospitality and friendliness to cities globally.
The portals project is part of the events planned to align with Dublin's 2024 EU Capital of Smart Tourism Designation, according to De Róiste. This initiative aims to create a connection between Dublin and New York City through these sculptures.
This real-time bridge between cities via sculptures is not a new concept, as the Dublin-New York city pairing is not the first of its kind.
The first Portals, according to the organization’s website, linked Vilnius, Lithuania, with Lublin, Poland, in 2021.
Editor's P/S:
The "Portals"
