PREVIEW

Dubliners and New Yorkers have been putting their hands across the ocean thanks to a revolutionary ‘portal’ installation that connects the two cities.
The Portal sculptures, named Dublin Portal and NYC Portal, debuted on Wednesday (8May2024) and serve as visual gateways linking the Irish capital and Big Apple.
Equipped with 24/7 visual livestreams from each other's Portal, they facilitate real-time interactions between Dubliners, New Yorkers, and global visitors.
Dublin Portal, situated facing O'Connell Street, offers a picturesque view of Dublin's renowned GPO building and the Spire.
Delivered by Dublin City Council as part of its recognition as the European Capital of Smart Tourism 2024, the sculpture was inaugurated by Dublin's Lord Mayor, Daithí De Róiste, followed by a captivating performance by The Liberties Majorettes, honouring the city's historic connection to New York - home to a large Irish diaspora.
Reflecting on the project, Lord Mayor Daithí said: "One of my key aims as Lord Mayor is to make the City more inclusive. The Portals project embodies this, bringing together technology, engineering and art to bring communities from across the world closer together and to allow people to meet and connect outside of their social circles and cultures. We are delighted to connect Dublin with New York which we share a deep historical and cultural bond with.”
Explaining plans to expand the project, he added: “From July the Dublin Portal will also connect to other global city destinations in Poland, Brazil and Lithuania.”
Benediktas Gylys, the Lithuanian artist and entrepreneur behind The Portal, explained the inspiration for the revolutionary project.
“Portals are an invitation to meet people above borders and differences and to experience our world as it really is—united and one,” he mused. “The livestream provides a window between distant locations, allowing people to meet outside of their social circles and cultures, transcend geographical boundaries, and embrace the beauty of global interconnectedness.”
The NYC Portal, located at the Flatiron South Public Plaza, adjacent to the Flatiron Building, is presented by the Flatiron NoMad Partnership in collaboration with the Simons Foundation and the New York City Department of Transportation Art Program.
“Two amazing global cities, connected in real-time and space. That is something you do not see every day!” said New York City Chief Public Realm Officer Ya-Ting Liu. “We are so excited to have The Portal as a public interactive art installation, showcasing the vibrancy of our city streets and providing a new point for human connection between New Yorkers and Dubliners. We thank the City of Dublin, NYC DOT Art Program, the Flatiron NoMad Partnership, and the Simons Foundation for bringing this vision to life.”
The Portal's connection between Dublin and New York City will continue until Autumn 2024, featuring scheduled programming and cultural performances accessible to both cities via livestream.