INFO:

The livestream art installation connecting two bustling cities, New York and Dublin, is garnering the attention of tens of thousands of visitors, but due to some controversial activity, the portal temporarily closed for a closer look. The portal is a piece of sculpture art by Portals founder and artist, Benediktas Gylys, originally from Lithuania. The idea to create a virtual link between countries started in 2016 when Gylys wanted to find a way to bridge international gaps, a passion further driven by the COVID pandemic. “It became too difficult for me to live on a planet of constant separation, constant hatred. I felt a deep need to create something different, something new that would talk to the human heart instead of just rationally talking to the human brain,” Gylys told NBC New York during an interview in front of the NYC portal. The engaging piece located on 23rd Street and Fifth Avenue has attracted troublemakers since its launch only a week ago, including those portraying messages of hate and nudity. NBC New York’s Linda Gaudino speaks with the Portals founder on what’s next. @Linda Gaudino