Times Square is launching a new interactive exhibit where new yorkers will be able to video chat on with life-sized screens with people all around the world. Here’s everything you need to know.
Times Square has seen some of the most innovative public art pieces in the world grace its pedestrian thoroughfares. Starting next month perhaps one of the coolest projects in recent memory will land on the “Crossroads of the World,” and it will certainly lend weight to that moniker.
Times Square Arts is partnering with Shared_Studios to bring immersive audio-visual technology to the Broadway Plaza between 46th & 47th Street. Visitors to Times Square will enter gold shipping containers, and once inside, they will be able to interact with people across 20 countries live and life-sized, as though they are in the same room. The sister containers NYers will connect to include places like Afghanistan, Germany, Honduras, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Mexico, Myanmar, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Rwanda, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, Vietnam, and Yemen.
The interactive public art installation will be on display from October 10 to November 21, 2017, and whereas anyone is invited to participate, you do need to reserve space in advance at www.TimesSquarePortal.com.
Each week the portals stay on Times Square will cover a different theme:
Week 1: Public Space
Participants are invited to discuss and discover the importance of public spaces to the democratic process. Safe spaces that are free from privatization, commercialization, and intimidation
Week 2: Food
Participants will eat together at a “shared table” and tackle the problem of the world, and American, hunger crisis. This week will coincide with International Food Day and International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
Week 3: Migration
A hot topìc in today’s political climate, week three tackles migration. From the fate of American “Dreamers” to one on one discussion to those displaced by war and natural disaster the world over.
Week 4: Performance
Week four is a celebration of live entertainment. Real-time collaboration between Times Square performers and their counterparts across the world. Coinciding with Halloween there will also be the opportunities to hear ghost stories from Mexico to Myanmar.
Week 5: Identity
Week fives focus will tackle subjects like race, gender, political affiliation, sex, and religion.
Week 6: Change
Celebrating new beginnings, appropriately around New Years, week 6 focuses on personal, global and political change.
Week 7: Gratitude
Bringing the exhibition and events to a close, the final days focus on gratitude, appropriately falling around Thanksgiving.
Featured image source [timessquarenyc]