Amanda: I arrived at the Portal in Manhattan’s Flatiron district a little before 11 a.m. New York time, and discovered that there is now a fence keeping people several feet away (but not the same in Dublin). This is part of the new security organizers have implemented: If someone steps on the Portal or blocks the camera, the live feed will be blurry for both sides, organizers say. For the next hour, a steady stream of people stopped at the Portal, usually around 30 there at any given time. They greeted, smiled, danced YMCA and the Macarena on both sides. People brought dogs and a group of preschoolers lined up walked by and waved.
David: Dublin Portal, located opposite Dublin’s main street, O’Connell Street and the historic building of the General Post Office, has a permanent observer: James Joyce. A statue of Ireland’s most celebrated writer and author of the archetypal Dublin novel. Ulises, is located a few meters from the video screen. But rather than reciting Joyce, it was a 20th century American rapper who particularly inspired one Portal visitor. A woman dressed in head-to-toe white danced silently before the screen for a few minutes, before turning around and singing: “You better get lost in the music, the moment, you own it, you better never leave it.” go. You only have one chance, don’t miss the chance to do it. This opportunity only comes once in a lifetime.” Joyce and Eminem may not seem like natural bedfellows, but in Dublin and in front of the Portal, it seemed strangely appropriate to get lost in the moment.
Amanda: While we couldn’t hear Eminem’s lyrics on the New York side of the Portal, the crowd enjoyed watching the woman’s energy and dance moves. Even without sound, people could convey emotions and all eyes were on the silent performance broadcast from Dublin.
David: Ireland’s police finally acted on the Eminem tribute event, but one of the “Dublin Portal Ambassadors”—who told me clearly that they were not security officers—felt the woman was doing no harm. Although the ambassador, who declined to give his name, added that the night before, things got a little louder after 6 p.m., with some groups roaming the city’s pubs briefly disrupting each other’s interactions. people before things quickly returned to normal. As part of the measures introduced for the reopening of the Portal, opening hours have been limited to 6am to 4pm ET (11am to 9pm Dublin time).
The Portals measure 3.4 meters tall and weigh “several tons,” organizers say, but give no details about the camera and screen technology used, adding: “It’s like the paint used to paint a painting.” : we want the audience to focus on the result.”
Amanda: Those working on the New York side handed out signs saying “I ‘heart’ Dublin” and “I ‘shamrock’ Dublin” for people to hold, artificially increasing the perception of goodwill between the two cities. One of the people who works told me that she has not seen any problems since she reopened; It has been nothing but love and good vibes.