Imagine walking down the street in Bristol and being able to look through a ‘portal’ into Paris or New York - and interacting with people thousands of miles away. It might sound like science fiction, but an art installation that is able to connect two cities in real time already exists, and those behind it are hoping to bring it to Bristol next.
The so-called Portal - a huge concrete circular installation with an enormous screen - was first trialled in 2021, connecting the cities of Vilnius, in Lithuania, and Lublin, in Poland, which are hundreds of miles apart. The 11-tonne artwork broadcasts live footage between the two cities, 24 hours a day, and allows people to communicate with each other visually in real time.
The original Portal was conceived and built by the not-for-profit Benediktas Gylys Foundation - but the technology for the artwork was developed in Bristol by Montpelier-based video firm Video Window, whose customers include Netflix, ITV and Accenture. Daryl Hutchings, Video Window’s chief executive, is now hoping to bring one to Bristol.
Read more: Flying taxis to be trialled at Bristol Airport
He said the “biggest art installation in the world” would be based in Bristol city centre and would feature a circular screen, "symbolising the wheel of time". “The Portal represents a coming together of space and time,” he said.
“It would be connected to another city so that people would have an insight into what’s going on in a distant world.” His company has been working with product design students from the University of the West of England (UWE), who are set to visit Portal HQ in Vilnius after winning a competition to design the future Bristol Portal.
The four second-year students - Joe Courtney, Jonathon Francis, Luke Harris and Oliver Newey - took the top spot in the competition, run by Portal Unity Network and Video Window earlier this year. The students were asked to consider and design creative technical solutions and a visual identity which reflects Bristol’s culture.
They also had to consider the practicalities of installing the Portal, plus factors such as cost, environmental concerns and materials. “It was an incredible feeling winning the competition; working together drove us to success and created friendships,” said Mr Courtney. “It would be staggering to see parts of our design concept making it to Bristol and to one day see it in the flesh.”
However, it costs 130,000 euros (£118,000) for two Portals. Last year, Mr Hutchings company applied to Bristol City Council’s City Centre and High Streets Economic Recovery Culture and Events Programme, which provides funding for cultural projects in the city. The company did not secure the funding the first time around, but it has not dissuaded Mr Hutchings from his plan.
He is reapplying for the cash in 2022, and with the updated design is hoping to get the council on board this time. “Bringing this to Bristol would be fantastic for this vibrant city,” he added.
"Video Window’s aim is to remove frustration and improve human connection - we are proud to power the Portal and want to bring this to our home city of Bristol.”
Read next -
BT to create 170 jobs in Bristol as huge new offices set to open
Drew Barrymore discusses Bristol wedding speech writer's business on talk show
Award-winning 1960s ‘James Bond’ house goes up for sale
Asda workers left with head injuries after assault
New neighbourhood planned in place of garages and car dealership
