“Revolutionary!” cries the artist, as he stands before his latest masterpiece– a portal between two of the most cultured cities in the world, New York and Dublin. The piece, designed to look like a glorified tunnel – trivially called “Portal” – has taken the artistic world by storm.
The breathtaking piece enables viewers to visually connect with people in a different city – wow! How innovative, groundbreaking, and revolutionary. Who needs planes and airports when you can gaze into a portal?
The artist behind this gem, a self-proclaimed “visionary” named Givenchy, claims that his inspiration for this piece came from his deep yearning to bring people together. Yes, apparently connecting people via their phone screens just wasn’t good enough.
As awe-inspiring as this piece may seem, the artist is already facing public scrutiny. Some critics have claimed that the idea of a “portal” is not only unfathomable but also unachievable. After all, isn’t putting two giant screens next to each other just glorified FaceTime?
But the “artist” has a come back. He emphasizes that the installation doesn’t just put two screens together, it’s a “connecting force” that makes viewers feel like they’re part of something special. Oh, how convincing. If by special, he means gullible enough to fall for this hackneyed attempt at selling an already existing product.
Never one to be deterred by mere logic, Givency argues tirelessly for our “need to share and connect.” Though one must wonder, with so many other ways to connect, why waste thousands of dollars on something as clear as an electronic screen.
As for the viewers, they seem to be more interested in taking selfies in front of the installation than actually connecting with someone on the other side. After all, having a stunning piece of art in your Instagram story is far more important than the actual purpose of the art installation.
One viewer, who asked to remain anonymous, expressed her delight at “being part of something so new and original.” Perhaps she didn’t realize that screens have been connected from different locations for decades, or maybe Givency’s marketing team is just that good.
Despite the overwhelmingly negative criticism, Givency’s “portal” managed to pull quite a crowd. Maybe it’s the enticing thought of connecting with a stranger from another continent, or perhaps it’s the feeling of exclusivity that comes with being part of something new.
In the end, one must give credit where it’s due. The “portal” has managed to generate buzz and stir up a conversation about the way we connect. It has brought us closer to the question of what is art and what is simply a combination of two screens.
So, let’s give Givency a round of applause. For being bold enough to create a portal, for challenging our perception of art, but most importantly, for reminding us that in the age of technology, anything is possible.
