# Art installation known as “ The Portal that links NY sidewalk with Dublin temp closed **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 15, 2024, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-known-as-the-portal-that-links-ny-sidewalk-with-dublin-temp-closed/1001592 "2024-05-15T15:40:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2024, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-known-as-the-portal-that-links-ny-sidewalk-with-dublin-temp-closed/1001592/1 "2024-05-15T15:40:34Z")
This is an art sculpture. Human behavior is part of the experience. I don’t agree with censoring art. People can and should interact with the sculpture however they want. Just don’t vandalize it. I don’t have any problem with people flashing the camera. Or holding up a political sign. It’s all a form of communication. That’s how the exhibit influenced them. It would be awesome to have a circular sculpture with eight video portals to various cities around the world. The portals could view each other when no one was standing there. How do you feel about it? Should it be guarded and censored? > **[Announcing Portal: Connecting New York and Dublin](https://www.simonsfoundation.org/2024/05/08/announcing-portal-connecting-new-york-and-dublin/)** > > Announcing Portal: Connecting New York and Dublin on Simons Foundation > **[Sidewalk video ‘Portal’ linking New York, Dublin by livestream temporarily...](https://apnews.com/article/portal-art-exhibit-new-york-dublin-157090b2e6ab7ab72ce5dcbe89c1e61c)** > > The livestreaming public art installation known as “The Portal” made its North American debut on May 8. > **[“This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things”: New Yorkers’ Rude Behavior Gets...](https://www.boredpanda.com/new-york-dublin-portal-shut-down-due-inappropriate-behavior/)** > > After the grand debut of the Portals in New York and Dublin, people began flashing their privates and displaying Swastikas during the live 24/7 video feed. These exhibits are tame by todays standards. > **[Famous Nude Photographers - Explorers of the Human Form](https://artincontext.org/famous-nude-photographers/)** > > Guide to Famous Nude Photographers ✔ Best Male Nude Photographers ✔ Female Nude Photographers ✔ Examples of Naked Human Body Photography ✔ ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2024, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-known-as-the-portal-that-links-ny-sidewalk-with-dublin-temp-closed/1001592/2 "2024-05-15T15:55:33Z")
Briefly there was a giant circular video screen in NYC and another in Dublin. It showed a live video image between the two cites. In very short order people stated being vulgar so they shut it down. How was this outcome not completely obvious? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2024, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-known-as-the-portal-that-links-ny-sidewalk-with-dublin-temp-closed/1001592/3 "2024-05-15T16:00:10Z")
The reaction and hand-wringing by officials is predictable and probably expected by the artist. I’m biased because interactive art installations have interested me throughout my life. I’m planning a vacation to visit some of these places. Unfortunately New York is too far away. I would have enjoyed seeing the Video Portal. > **[Where to soak in the 10 best immersive art experiences in the US](https://10best.usatoday.com/interests/galleries-venues/10-best-immersive-art-experiences-2022-readers-choice-awards/)** > > Interact and engage with the 10 best immersive art experiences in the United States, as voted by USA TODAY 10Best readers in the 2022 Readers' Choice Awards. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2024, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-known-as-the-portal-that-links-ny-sidewalk-with-dublin-temp-closed/1001592/4 "2024-05-15T16:04:15Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > In very short order people stated being vulgar so they shut it down. > > How was this outcome not completely obvious? It mentioned another one between Poland and Lithuania so maybe those people were better behaved. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2024, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-known-as-the-portal-that-links-ny-sidewalk-with-dublin-temp-closed/1001592/5 "2024-05-15T16:04:25Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I’m biased because interactive art installations have interested me throughout my life. Me too. I would have loved it. There was probably a better format than in two large cities. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2024, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-known-as-the-portal-that-links-ny-sidewalk-with-dublin-temp-closed/1001592/6 "2024-05-15T16:07:04Z")
Reminds me of the _Palantír_ from _Lord of the Rings_. I like this concept and I agree to just let it run - as long as no one is damaging the thing or each other or spreading hateful messages to people on the other end. The upside is seeing people, regular, everyday people, who live somewhere else going about their business - I think the idea is to humanize. The downside is lewd behavior that could be very offensive to someone on the other end, but I think the positives can outweigh the negatives. And jeez, can we just get over ourselves already for being offended at seeing human breasts. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2024, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-known-as-the-portal-that-links-ny-sidewalk-with-dublin-temp-closed/1001592/7 "2024-05-15T16:09:22Z")
A video portal could be placed in an exhibit hall. There would be less obnoxious behavior. A public sidewalk may be too large of an audience. Especially if troublemakers blocked regular vistors that wanted the experience. But, I was OK with the way it was originally installed on a sidewalk. Give it time and see if people lose interest in flashing body parts. It’s not fun if people ignore the bad behavior. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2024, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-known-as-the-portal-that-links-ny-sidewalk-with-dublin-temp-closed/1001592/8 "2024-05-15T16:18:16Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Briefly there was a giant circular video screen in NYC and another in Dublin. It showed a live video image between the two cites. In very short order people stated being vulgar so they shut it down. > > How was this outcome not completely obvious? [Bad Moon Rising](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUQiUFZ5RDw) ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2024, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-known-as-the-portal-that-links-ny-sidewalk-with-dublin-temp-closed/1001592/9 "2024-05-15T16:25:03Z")
My first reaction: Stargate, Sliders, Guardian of Forever… ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2024, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-known-as-the-portal-that-links-ny-sidewalk-with-dublin-temp-closed/1001592/10 "2024-05-15T16:37:03Z")
I realize the cynical “of course people were jerks” reaction is a natural one (and one I had myself), but allow me to offer an alternate perspective: what a cool idea and how amazing are the creative people who came up with and executed it!? People can be so incredibly innovative and clever, so I choose to focus on that aspect in this instance. We need more things like this in our lives - bring back the portal! ---
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2024, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-known-as-the-portal-that-links-ny-sidewalk-with-dublin-temp-closed/1001592/11 "2024-05-15T16:48:10Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > This is an art sculpture. Human behavior is part of the experience. I don’t agree with censoring art. People can and should interact with the sculpture however they want. I agree. Nobody is forced to look at it, after all. They had one in a library in Chester here in the UK a while ago (cannot now remember where it was linked to), but I don’t recall any protests about it. Of course, this WAS the UK. No sex, please, we’re British… Not from our side, anyway… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2024, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-known-as-the-portal-that-links-ny-sidewalk-with-dublin-temp-closed/1001592/12 "2024-05-16T12:08:50Z")
I actually find it a bit interesting. Sure, we can all say that this sort of misbehavior is expected. But ask ourselves why. It’s not like people can’t put up hateful signs or flash strangers in public already. Sure, the people on the other side can’t physically react to you, but you’re undoubtedly being recorded. And there is security there who are watching. My first guess is that it has to do with the novelty. If so, then I would expect incidents to drop over time. Though not completely, since the installation will always be novel to new people. But maybe by then it would be small and more manageable. But I don’t know. We’d have to let the art experiment stand to see. Some restrictions might be able to be implemented, but they can’t be too strong. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2024, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-known-as-the-portal-that-links-ny-sidewalk-with-dublin-temp-closed/1001592/13 "2024-05-16T12:31:32Z")
> [@ShadowFacts](#): > > what a cool idea and how amazing are the creative people who came up with and executed it!? I’ll vote for this. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2024, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-known-as-the-portal-that-links-ny-sidewalk-with-dublin-temp-closed/1001592/14 "2024-05-16T13:49:07Z")
At least in New York the experiment didn’t end in murder. > **[Hitchhiking robot destroyed in Philadelphia, ending cross-country trek](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/08/03/hitchhiking-robot-destroyed-philadelphia-ending-cross-country-trek/31051589/)** > > A hitchhiking robot that successfully traveled around Germany, Canada and the Netherlands was destroyed Saturday in Philadelphia, just a few weeks into its U.S. journey.  ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2024, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-known-as-the-portal-that-links-ny-sidewalk-with-dublin-temp-closed/1001592/15 "2024-05-16T15:12:07Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > My first guess is that it has to do with the novelty. If so, then I would expect incidents to drop over time. Though not completely, since the installation will always be novel to new people. But maybe by then it would be small and more manageable. The novelty of flashing the camera would wear off quickly. It the bad behavior is ignored. The portal is really just a fancy web cam. Most people have a laptop or phone at home with that feature. They can flash grandma if they feel the need. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2024, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-known-as-the-portal-that-links-ny-sidewalk-with-dublin-temp-closed/1001592/16 "2024-05-16T17:25:44Z")
don’t harsh my mellow. 😠 ---
**Author:** ![TXRebel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6de8d8/32.png) [@TXRebel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TXRebel)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2024, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-known-as-the-portal-that-links-ny-sidewalk-with-dublin-temp-closed/1001592/17 "2024-05-16T20:59:29Z")
Exactly! 🙃 ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2024, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-known-as-the-portal-that-links-ny-sidewalk-with-dublin-temp-closed/1001592/18 "2024-05-16T23:40:27Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > A video portal could be placed in an exhibit hall. There would be less obnoxious behavior. A public sidewalk may be too large of an audience. So a viewer in Dublin would look through the portal and see… a room? That wouldn’t work. To get the full impact, the portals have to be out on the sidewalk. Why not just enforce the laws against public indecency the same way they’d enforce them without the portal? Except even easier, because, duh, there’s a camera right there? ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2024, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-known-as-the-portal-that-links-ny-sidewalk-with-dublin-temp-closed/1001592/19 "2024-05-16T23:52:16Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > > [@aceplace57](#): > > > > A video portal could be placed in an exhibit hall. There would be less obnoxious behavior. A public sidewalk may be too large of an audience. > > So a viewer in Dublin would look through the portal and see… a room? That wouldn’t work. To get the full impact, the portals have to be out on the sidewalk. > > Why not just enforce the laws against public indecency the same way they’d enforce them without the portal? Except even easier, because, duh, there’s a camera right there? How do you define indecency? Some OnlyFans model flashed her boobs at Dublin. It’s not illegal to be topless in NYC (there is caselaw). Someone in Dublin showed a picture of the plane crashing into the WTC. Trolling to be sure but not illegal. There was rude behavior but I didn’t hear of anything illegal. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2024, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-known-as-the-portal-that-links-ny-sidewalk-with-dublin-temp-closed/1001592/20 "2024-05-17T02:04:32Z")
Oh. If there wasn’t even any illegal behavior, then just keep the piece running. I don’t think that “New Yorkers are sometimes rude” is a newsflash to anyone. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-installation-known-as-the-portal-that-links-ny-sidewalk-with-dublin-temp-closed/1001592.md?page=2)