It’s the future of art and technology!
Reminiscent of the ancient and mysterious constructs in the The Guardian of Forever episode on the OG Star Trek, a public technology structure will be installed this Spring named “The Portal” to create a visual bridge between two iconic cities—New York City and Dublin, Ireland. Although you won’t be able to step into these portals another time, it will just seem like it.
The Portal is the fusion of art, technology, and global connectivity, bridging time and space. It attempts to show the unifying power of art, transcending physical boundaries to offer a real-time, visual live stream that connects New York City to Ireland, and vice versa. In Dublin will be a similar structure projecting in real time images from The Big Apple.
The Portal will sit at the Flatiron South Public Plaza in New York City, adjacent to the Flatiron Building. It’s a collaborative effort presented by the Flatiron NoMad Partnership, the New York City Department of Transportation’s Art Program (NYC DOT Art), and the Simons Foundation. Meanwhile, in Dublin, the Portal will grace O’Connell Street, capturing the iconic vistas of the GPO building and the Spire, courtesy of the Dublin City Council as part of its designation as the European Capital of Smart Tourism 2024.
Conceived by Lithuanian artist and entrepreneur Benediktas Gylys, Portals serve as invitations to transcend borders and differences, offering a glimpse into a world united as one. The live stream of Portals acts as a window connecting distant locations, fostering interactions beyond social circles and cultural confines.
James Mettham, President of the Flatiron NoMad Partnership, expressed excitement about hosting the Portal’s North American debut, anticipating its role in bringing people together physically and digitally across the Atlantic. The Lord Mayor of Dublin echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the project’s significance in connecting cities with deep historical and cultural ties.
Scheduled to operate from spring to fall 2024, “The Portal” will feature scheduled programming, including cultural performances accessible to both cities via the live stream.
Photo: flatironnomad.nyc.
