In the Flatiron South Public Plaza (Fifth Ave. and 23rd St.), next to the famous Flatiron Building, an interactive public art piece has been installed a few days ago: The Portal, a technological sculpture designed to create a visual bridge between New York and Dublin that will be active through the fall of 2024, including real-time connections and programming of cultural performances. In honor of this initiative, NYCxDesign organized a conference scheduled for May 18 with public art curator and producer Debra Simon, in conversation with Lithuanian artist and portals.org founder Benediktas Gylys.
![](https://ifdm.design/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Benediktas_Gylys.jpg)
![](https://ifdm.design/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Debra_Simon.jpg)
Unfortunately, the ‘visual bridge,’ two large monitors in constant communication, had to be temporarily shut down because it also attracted people who have taken inappropriate advantage of it since it opened: an OnlyFans model, Ava Louise, stripped completely on camera (she called the episode “very funny”). And another user shared images of the attack on the Twin Towers.
![](https://ifdm.design/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/00-The-Portal-New-York-City-Photo-©-quiggyt4-copia.jpg)
The Flatiron NoMad Partnership has assured that the installation will be back up and running by the weekend, and the Simon/Gylys conversation is still on the calendar – hopefully without further provocation.