New art installation near Flatiron Building provides live window between New York City and Dublin
FLATIRON, Manhattan (WABC) -- A new art installation in New York City is transporting viewers more than 3,000 miles away to Dublin, Ireland.
It was unveiled Wednesday morning at the Flatiron South Public Plaza, next to the famed Flatiron Building.
The installation, called "The Portal," features two identical sculptures with a visual live stream connecting the two cities.
Visitors can watch and interact with each other.
The project is the brainchild of artist Benediktas Gylys who in 2021 installed the first two portals in Lithuania and Poland.
"We provide an unfiltered meeting above all borders, all labels, and that would invite us humans to reconnect," Gylys said.
One thing missing from the live stream is audio -- but many think without sound, there is still a connection to be made.
"We think just simple communication, whether it's a wave, a hi, a sign, a dance, that's what people are about," said James Mettham with Flatiron NoMad Partnership.
It took two years to get to the unveiling Wednesday. But why Dublin?
"Two cosmopolitan cities that are linked based on immigration, culture, literature, so many things," Mettham said.
The portals will remain open 24/7 for the next six months through the fall.
ALSO READ: New NYC pay-by-plate parking meters bid farewell to paper receipts
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
