A public art installation connecting Dublin and New York through a live video portal faces a temporary shutdown due to incidents of displaying explicit and provocative content, including swastikas and 9/11 images. Despite the majority of positive interactions, Dublin City Council announced the closure to address misconduct and implement technical solutions before resuming operation.
A public art installation linking Dublin and New York through a live video portal has been temporarily shut down due to inappropriate behavior. The installations, which feature 2.4-meter-wide screens without audio, were designed by Lithuanian artist Benediktas Gylys to foster global connections. Launched on May 8, 2024, they are located in Dublin’s O’Connell Street and New York’s Flatiron Plaza.
Dublin City Council announced the shutdown on Tuesday, May 14, citing incidents such as the display of explicit content and provocative images like swastikas and the 9/11 attacks. Efforts to implement technical solutions, including blurring offensive content, proved unsatisfactory. The portals are expected to resume operation later in the week after further adjustments.
The majority of interactions through the portals, including waves and greetings, were positive, but a minority engaged in misconduct, leading to the temporary closure.
