The “Portal” art installation connecting New York City and Dublin reopened Sunday after a multiday closure due to monkey business on both sides of the Atlantic.
Initially installed as a 24/7 video feed between two historic cities, the video camera will now only broadcast between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. in New York (11 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Dublin).
Organizers shut off the portal on Tuesday evening, following several instances of “inappropriate behavior.” These included an OnlyFans model in New York flashing the camera and someone in Ireland displaying a photo of the Twin Towers burning on 9/11.
In response, organizers introduced a feature that will automatically blur both screens if someone steps on the platform and obstructs the camera.
The New York location will continue to have constant security, and additional fencing has been installed around the site at 23rd St. and Fifth Ave., next to the Flatiron Building.
“We are excited to welcome people in New York and Dublin back to experience this captivating visual bridge that connects these two iconic cities,” read a joint statement from Portals.org, the Dublin City Council and the Flatiron NoMad Partnership.
The art installation first opened May 8, delighting curious New Yorkers and Dubliners. However, several people seized an opportunity for foolishness, forcing organizers to shut down the video feeds and search for solutions.
Both portals are expected to remain in place into the fall.
“As humans we are creating the Portals experience together,” said Lithuanian artist Benediktas Gylys, who first imagined the installation. “I invite local communities not only to enjoy but to care about their Portals and how other community members are approaching the sculptures.”
