The rapid shutdown of two public sculptures, known as "The Portals," connecting Dublin, Ireland, and New York City, came shortly after their unveiling. Less than a week after their debut, incidents of "inappropriate behavior" during real-time interactions between the two cities led to a temporary closure.
These unique round installations, resembling lenses, feature a 24/7 video link that enables residents and visitors in both cities to engage with one another. However, videos circulating on social media showed individuals engaging in misconduct, such as exposing body parts, on the livestream. Notably, the installation does not include audio.
Following these incidents, the Dublin City Council stated that they are actively "exploring potential technical solutions to address inappropriate behavior by a small minority of individuals." Despite their efforts, their preferred solution involving blurring the content was deemed inadequate. Consequently, the team behind the sculptures, Portals.org, is currently considering alternative options.
To address the situation, the Dublin City Council decided to temporarily disable the live stream, with plans to reinstate it later in the week. Despite these challenges, they expressed satisfaction with the overall positive reception of the Portal since its launch, emphasizing that the majority of interactions have been respectful and appropriate.
In response to the incidents, organizers in New York reiterated that the inappropriate behavior was exhibited by "a very small minority" of visitors. They highlighted the security measures in place, including 24/7 on-site security and physical barriers, to prevent similar occurrences.
The Portals project, conceptualized by Lithuanian artist Benediktas Gylys, aims to foster global connections. Dublin's Lord Mayor, Daithí de Róiste, described the project as a means to enhance the city's inclusivity, facilitating interactions beyond traditional social circles and cultural boundaries.
While the Dublin-New York pairing marks a significant achievement, it is not the first instance of real-time connections between cities through these sculptures. The first Portals, according to the organization's website, connected Vilnius, Lithuania, with Lublin, Poland, in 2021. Future plans include expanding the project to connect Dublin with destinations in Poland, Brazil, and Lithuania in July.