15-5-2024 (NEW YORK) A livestream portal connecting New York City and Dublin has been temporarily shut down following incidents of inappropriate behaviour, as reported by Dublin City Council.
Less than a week after its launch, the 24/7 visual art installation has been suspended. The decision came after individuals engaged in various misconducts, including flashing, grinding on the portal, and one person sharing images of the 9/11 attacks with viewers in New York City. Despite these incidents, the portal also witnessed positive interactions such as reunions with old friends and even a marriage proposal, with many documenting their experiences online.
Dublin City Council stated that although the inappropriate actions were limited to a few individuals, videos of these behaviours quickly went viral.
Instagram Influence flashes her chest in front of shocked bystanders at NYC-Dublin portal installation???? pic.twitter.com/wveG56Nitp
— #1 Media Plug ???? ✪ (@NoPlugMedia) May 14, 2024
“While we cannot control all actions, we are implementing technical solutions to address these issues, which will be activated within the next 24 hours,” the council announced on Monday. “We will continue to monitor the situation alongside our partners in New York to ensure the portals provide a positive experience for both cities and the global community.”
A video portal between New York and Dublin was installed a few days ago allowing people from the two countries to interact with each other in real time. This is what Dublin was showing to NY… pic.twitter.com/XK8FEE9acM
— Apel (@apelreddot) May 12, 2024
The New York City portal is located next to the Flatiron Building, while Dublin’s counterpart is situated at the junction of North Earl Street and O’Connell Street.
Launched on May 8, the portal was designed to connect people across the globe through technology.
“Portals are an invitation to meet people beyond borders and differences, experiencing our world as it truly is—united and one,” said Benediktas Gylys, the Lithuanian artist and founder of The Portal. “The livestream provides a window between distant locations, allowing individuals to meet outside their usual social circles and cultures, transcending geographical boundaries to embrace global interconnectedness.”
According to a May 8 press release from Dublin City Council, the Dublin portal is planned to connect with various cities and destinations, including Poland, Brazil, and Lithuania. The connection with New York City is expected to remain active through autumn, with additional cultural performances commencing in mid-May.
