Philadelphia is getting its portal, or at least it is the same as the one from New York City's Flatiron Plaza relocating to Love Park. Portals.org confirmed the news on Saturday, and a spokesperson told NBC10 that the white, round art installation, which features a two-way opening, will stream 24/7 in the City of Brotherly Love.
Furthermore, the spokesperson also revealed that the portal will connect to others in the same vein, strewn across other countries. It will start next week and will function via an all-hours live stream. On Friday night, the installation was spotted being set up.
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The internet was swift to react, with many noting that the possibilities of "something bad" happening are endless. Or, as one user stated,
"this things not gonna last 10 seconds."
Several others concurred:
"This is… uhhh *checks notes* a bad idea," one user joked.
"I’m sure nothing bad will happen," another said, sarcastically.
"What an awful idea to give this to us," yet another pointed out.
"There is no city less appropriate for this thing to be in," someone else joked.
The general consensus seemed to be that the art installation in Philly is nothing short of a disaster waiting to happen.
"the fact that they thought this would be a better idea than times square is tooooo funny," someone else stated.
"Ok. Ok listen …. I love my hometown but this is ….. not a good idea," yet another suggested.
"Whoever is watching the other end might get a chance to help solve some murders," someone humorously pointed out.
Others online reacted with a flurry of memes, gifs, and quippy remarks, insinuating that Philadelphia may not be the best place to set up such an installation.
Portal creator Benediktas Gylys says it was "too difficult" for him to live in separation
The portal was conceived in 2016 by Lithuanian artist and entrepreneur Benediktas Gylys. It opened in 2024 and connected Vilnius, Lithuania, to Lublin, Poland. According to NBC New York, the installation made its way to New York in 2024 but had to be shut down temporarily in May, given people's inappropriate behavior.
In speaking to the outlet, Gylys, who just wanted to bridge the gap between countries, said,
"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."
However, the piece, located on 23rd Street and Fifth Avenue at the time, had all sorts of troublesome visitors. One woman, Ava Louise, flashed herself, while another drew images of 9/11.
It remains to be seen which country the Philadephia Portal connects to. However, the website does mention an imminent connection with Piaui, Brazil—although it remains to be seen if it links to Love Park.
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