Dublin Portal Network Extends to More Cities
Dublin City Council has announced the expansion of its Dublin Portal network, now including Vilnius, Lithuania, and Lublin, Poland. Initially established as a video link between Dublin and New York, the portal allows people to connect with others on the streets of these two Eastern European cities. The livestreams, rotating every 180 seconds, are available daily from 1 pm to 8 pm on North Earl Street in Dublin. The portal has proved to be very popular and has captured the imagination of residents and tourists to Dublin.
Welcomed by Representatives
Lord Mayor of Dublin, James Geoghegan, expressed delight at the network’s growth, noting that the portal has attracted over 340,000 visitors since its launch in May and has revitalised North Earl Street.
Lublin city representative Beata Stepaniuk-Kuśmierzak welcomed Dublin and New York to their network, highlighting the new opportunities for cultural exchange and collaborative projects. The expansion reflects the project’s original mission to foster global unity through this innovative digital artwork. She said, “”We can now peek into New York’s Manhattan and Dublin’s city centre, share culture, experiences and initiate new projects together.”
In Vilnius, the portal is located near the central station, while in Lublin, it’s situated in Litewski Square, the city’s central square. The portal between Vilnius and Lublin, which began in 2021, was the project’s first global connection.
Controversies
The addition of these cities to the portal comes after several controversies surrounding its Dublin installation, which led to increased security and the relocation of the New York portal. Someone displayed an image of the 9/11 attacks on their phone, and a man exposed himself to unsuspecting New Yorkers. Additionally, a woman on the New York side flashed the portal.
Despite past incidents, the portal continues to be a popular and evolving project, now featuring enhanced operational protocols to ensure a safe and engaging experience for all participants.