Benediktas Gylys was surprised by the rowdy behavior stemming from the exhibit connecting people in the two cities
The artist behind the controversial “Portal” art exhibit, visually linking New York and Dublin in real-time, admitted surprise at the public’s rowdy and extreme behavior, leading to the exhibit’s closure. Benediktas Gylys also pledged to continue his project, aiming to connect people and communities worldwide, with hopes of reopening soon.
The feasibility of a smoother operation for the New York-Dublin connection upon its restart is uncertain. Gylys has suggested the potential use of monitoring software that would blur the screen momentarily if it detects inappropriate behavior at his recently installed work in New York’s Madison Park.
At 34 years old, Gylys admits that he and his small team were so concentrated on installing and connecting the 8ft tall sculpture that they hadn’t considered how it might be utilized—or misused.
“We were considering possible scenarios and implemented certain measures, but now we realize they were insufficient,” he told the Guardian. “However, for me, it symbolizes the collective effort of humanity in creating this artwork and represents our current state as a species. We witness a great deal of love, positivity, and smiles; a marriage proposal was even made a couple of days ago. Nonetheless, we also encounter some negativity, individuals seeking attention, and those solely focused on their own interests, attempting to manipulate the narrative for increased views and followers.”
He explains that the decision to turn off the exhibit was not prompted by a single incident. “It’s all part of the portal journey,” he remarked. However, he hopes that regardless of what the public may communicate across the Atlantic, they refrain from climbing on his sculpture. “It’s intended to be family-friendly, to be appreciated and cared for, not disrespected,” he emphasized.
Currently, the text on the circular steel and poured concrete sculpture reads “Portal is asleep – back up soon.”
The term “soon” is vague—it could mean tomorrow or Sunday. Whenever it happens, the Lithuanian artist hopes that the future of his project, which aims to connect humans through international portals like this one, will be smoother than it has been so far.
Known as The Portal, the installation made headlines when New Yorkers in the Flatiron district began communicating with Dubliners on O’Connell Street, and vice versa, in ways that may not have aligned with Gylys’s artistic vision of embracing the beauty of global interconnectedness.
Just days after its launch on May 8, the Portal was abruptly switched off. This action followed OnlyFans model Ava Louise lifting her top to Dubliners, stating that she believed “the people of Dublin deserved to see two New York, homegrown potatoes.”
Both New York and Dublin authorities deemed this interaction to be more communication than they had intended to be transmitted. Additionally, other issues arose, such as Dubliners displaying swastikas and images of New York’s twin towers burning on 9/11.
As a result, the Portal went dark.
A spokesperson for the Flatiron NoMad Partnership, a sponsor of the sculpture, stated on Tuesday that “instances of inappropriate behavior have come from a very small minority of Portal visitors and have been amplified on social media.”
The Dublin city council acknowledged that while those engaging in inappropriate behavior were a minority, videos of such incidents went viral online.
The council stated in a statement, “While we cannot control all of these actions, we are implementing some technical solutions to address this, and these will go live in the next 24 hours.” They added that they would “continue to monitor the situation” to “ensure that portals continue to deliver a positive experience for both cities and the world.”
Gylys hopes that the true purpose of the sculpture, to connect cities worldwide, is restored. The US-Ireland connection was not the first in the series; Lithuania to Poland occurred in 2021. However, the interactions between Lithuanians and Poles were less contentious.
While there is significant focus on Dublin and New York, my message is broader. It’s not just about these two cities but about countries worldwide joining the portal network to create the largest artwork globally.
If they can overcome the challenges posed by human nature, the Dublin portal is poised to connect with other cities and destinations, with Brazil being next in line.
Gylys explains that in 2015, while searching for the meaning of life and feeling depressed, he admitted to himself that he knew very little about life. He began to feel a sense of unity with all living beings, making it challenging for him, he says, “to view the world through narratives of separation and conflict.”
Thus, the concept of an interconnected Portal was born.
Even while darkened last week, the Portal continued to draw visitors in New York. Aaron Cohen, who identified himself as an actor and satirist, mentioned that it had generated publicity and visitors to the neighborhood.
Cohen, 72, noted that it had fostered unity as people could observe daily life in Ireland or New York. “It was a good idea, but unfortunately, people took advantage of it and it brought out their lewd side. People got carried away,” he said.
He noted that authorities should have anticipated this, stating, “In a crowd of everyday people, there would be some who don’t act appropriately.” Regarding the new censor filters, he added, “The people who acted inappropriately will have to find another outlet.”
Dounia Elfarah, who works at the coffee shop behind the sculpture, expressed her view that the piece had largely succeeded in bringing the US and Irish communities together. She remarked, “They just make signs because they can’t hear each other. It’s nice for the community, and some celebrities came along too, like the guy from the reality show 90 Day Fiancé.”
Except for causing damage, how New Yorkers and Dubliners choose to use or interpret the sculpture is likely beyond the artist’s control, similar to any painting or installation. It’s a question he has pondered.
“The portals exist, and we humans create the portal experience,” Gylys remarked. “I’m not here to dictate how anyone should feel or react, but if they wish for the portal journey to continue, we would appreciate support,” including financial support.
However, if Dubliners and New Yorkers wish to behave inappropriately, there are limits to what anyone can do.
“We are constructing this project as a bridge to a united planet,” Gylys explains. “I believe we are prepared to construct that bridge, but perhaps we are not. I am unsure. I cannot dictate behavior, nor do I wish to, but expanding the portal network is my dream.”
