These gold-colored shipping containers open windows from one side of the world to another.
Portal exterior —
These gold-colored shipping containers open windows from one side of the world to another.
sharedstudios.com
The Portals Project connects parts of the world through a network of shipping containers outfitted with video conferencing equipment.
The Portals Project —
The Portals Project connects parts of the world through a network of shipping containers outfitted with video conferencing equipment.
sharedstudios.com
Former journalist Amar Bakashi started the project in 2014 with boxes connecting New York and Iran. When he returned to the United States and left journalism, he realized he missed the conversations he once had with strangers all over the world.
Portal Tent —
Former journalist Amar Bakashi started the project in 2014 with boxes connecting New York and Iran. When he returned to the United States and left journalism, he realized he missed the conversations he once had with strangers all over the world.
sharedstudios.com
The floor-to-ceiling screen inside the dimly-lit container gives users the feeling they're talking to someone in the same room.
Portal in Moody Park, Milwaukee —
The floor-to-ceiling screen inside the dimly-lit container gives users the feeling they're talking to someone in the same room.
Amar C. Bakshi/Shared Studios
A card on a message board next to the box reads "This is better than Facebook!"
Portal at the University of Maryland —
A card on a message board next to the box reads "This is better than Facebook!"
sharedstudios.com
There are 24 permanent portals around the world, from Afghanistan to Germany, Mexico to Milwaukee. Bakshi said his group is getting calls from people all over the world wanting their own portals.
Washington DC Portal exterior —
There are 24 permanent portals around the world, from Afghanistan to Germany, Mexico to Milwaukee. Bakshi said his group is getting calls from people all over the world wanting their own portals.
sharedstudios.com
The cost of the project is offset by payments from US and European locations that can afford the staff and technology. Money from those locations is used to set up free portals in underprivileged parts of the world.
Mexico City Portal exterior —
The cost of the project is offset by payments from US and European locations that can afford the staff and technology. Money from those locations is used to set up free portals in underprivileged parts of the world.
sharedstudios.com
In Irbil, the Portals Project funds the portal with assistance from UNICEF, Bakshi said. In all, the portals are available to 10,000 refugees in Irbil, Berlin, Gaza City and Amman.
Irbil Camp exterior —
In Irbil, the Portals Project funds the portal with assistance from UNICEF, Bakshi said. In all, the portals are available to 10,000 refugees in Irbil, Berlin, Gaza City and Amman.
sharedstudios.com
The shipping containers themselves have evolved from clunky spaces to house technology to near-empty boxes with only a screen on the wall.
Zaatari Camp Portal exterior —
The shipping containers themselves have evolved from clunky spaces to house technology to near-empty boxes with only a screen on the wall.
sharedstudios.com
The leftover space allowed musicians and artists to enter the portals to share their work.
Yale University Art Gallery Portal —
The leftover space allowed musicians and artists to enter the portals to share their work.
sharedstudios.com