Portals Do Exist

This past spring the New York-Dublin Portal (a.k.a. "The Portal") opened in New York City's Flat Iron District. I am certain I saw it being set up in Times Square before it was moved, but quick searches are not finding any proof. I doubt I took a picture of it. It was an 8' circular screen being set up with no indication of its purpose.

Soon afterwards we learned it moved, but as it was in a part of the city we rarely visit (or so we thought), we didn't think we would see it.

According to Wikipedia, The Portal is an interactive installation by Lithuanian artist Benediktas Gylys that allows people in New York City and Dublin to interact with each other through a video screen. It started as a 2021 project connecting Vilnius, Lithuania to Lublin, Poland before moving in May 2024 to Dublin and New York. 

Within a very short time, the 24-hour/7-days a week exhibit was shut down due to inappropriate behavior. A week later it reopened. It closed again. By the time we were in the Flat Iron District it had a sign saying it was closed for the evening. Come back later. No indication of when it would be open. We ended up passing it a few more times, always seeing the same sign: Portal is asleep -- back at 8 am. As you can see in my picture, it was broad daylight. No idea what time it stopped running.

When we heard it was moving to Philadelphia, we wanted to see it before the City of Brotherly love closed it, too.

The portal opened on October 22 in Love Park, and moved a few weeks later to make room for Christmas Village. A week later we left for Australia. The weeks since we returned have a blur of jet lag, post election depression, Christmas, and illnesses. Though we went to Philly for the holiday bike ride, we did not go into Center City.

The rules in Philadelphia are different, but the gist is the same. People see into a square in real time in another country. The two big differences are instead of being on 24/7 portal, it is open from 7 am - 10 pm; and it bounces between three different cities: Vilnius, Lithuania; Lublin, Poland; and Dublin, Ireland. You can tell which country is being shown by the tiny flag in the upper part of the circle. No one notices that at first, so everyone asks the same questions allowing those who have been there for an extra five minutes to feel like experts.

It is easy to see the weather, and daytime vs. nighttime, but that's about all I got out of the experience. I'm a bit disappointed my images are not clearer.

In each case you can see a city square, people, and traffic -- life happening. What you cannot do is hear what is happening in the other sites. I was really surprised by how bizarre it is to spy on people in semi secret while they do the same. An early reviewer compared it to being on display at a zoo. While looking into the other life being lived across the ocean, I wondered exactly what did they see in our world? How wide is the lens? Can you be seen if you are not directly in front of it? How close is optimal? During COVID lockdowns it probably felt like a lifeline to a place other than where you were stuck.

As neat as it was to see, without hearing the other side, the novelty quickly wore off for me. While waiting for Don, I stood farther back and watched the crowd interactions. For me that was more fun than being one of the monkeys on display.

If you happen to be in Philadelphia, check it out. If you know someone in one of those cities, try to time the visit so you see each other. Though, with FaceTiming, what seemed like magic a decade ago is something most of us can do through our smart phones.