It's reopened but there is a change.
The notorious video portal that once connected people in New York and Dublin in real time has returned, but with some modifications.
The gateway has a big circular screen that displays footage from a camera on a second screen that is located somewhere else.
Although the screen isn't a real portal, it's designed to look like you could walk through it in the downtown areas of Dublin and New York.
Benediktas Gylys, the founder of Portals.org, elucidated the idea behind the art work, saying: "Portals are an invitation to meet people above borders and differences and to experience our world as it really is – united and one."
"The livestream provides a window between distant locations, allowing people to meet outside of their social circles and cultures, transcend geographical boundaries, and embrace the beauty of global interconnectedness."
But things took a very bad turn last week, and the gateway was temporarily closed.
In Dublin, for instance, some displayed images of the 9/11 events from New York, while others flashed different body parts.
Some of the participants used the occasion to troll bystanders while other people were allegedly caught on tape using narcotics.
A model for OnlyFans in New York also gained notoriety and some financial gain when she seized the opportunity to flash her breasts in front of the camera.
Dublin City Council announced on Tuesday (May 14) that it would be closing the portal due to 'inappropriate behavior by a small minority of people'.
Fortunately, the portal has been reopened for individuals who wish to follow the guidelines.
The organizers of the installation in both cities have now put in place a "proximity-based solution" that will stop people from walking on the portals and putting their phones up to the cameras.
According to the organizers, doing such an act will now cause the livestream to become fuzzier on both sides.
To the New York portal, fencing and spacing decals have also been added.
Gylys said in a statement on Sunday (May 19): "As humans we are creating the Portals experience together.
"I invite local communities not only to enjoy but to care about their Portals and how other community members are approaching the sculptures."
One of the busiest intersections in the Big Apple, Broadway, Fifth Avenue, and 23rd Street, is where the portal is situated in New York City on the Flatiron South Public Plaza.
Regarding the Dublin portal, it is located at the intersection of North Earl Street and O'Connell Street.
John Plummer, who traveled to Dublin from Drogheda in County Louth, is among those who have used the site thus far.
He stated to the BBC: "It's amazing. It's great to see something like this in the city and to be able to watch people going about their business in New York while we're standing here in the centre of Dublin."
Thus, if you intend to visit either portal in the near future, behave yourself appropriately.
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