"I don’t know that I am ready to write about this experience yet but I know that I will be thinking about my conversation for a long time. My first portals conversation was with a twenty-something man who had just finished his military service – two years are required to obtain a passport therefore leave the country. Our conversation followed a surprising turn where he began by saying he would turn his back on all Iran but he ended by acknowledging the aspects of his life. My second portals conversation was with Mahsa...” 

“Amazing, incredible profoundly beautiful and connective experience. This is a terribly important art exhibit that instantly breaks down the arbitrary barriers that we put up between cultures and people. This is exactly what social media technology should be used for. It’s a beautiful, gorgeous bridge that I hope to see crossing more boundaries in the future. I am grateful and honored to be part of this art exhibit. Yours truly, Kwadwo ADAE"

"I really enjoyed speaking in the portal this morning. I had the opportunity to meet Mahsa, a woman photographer in grad school. As a photographer myself, we had a lovely conversation about one role at being a photographer and the difficulties that can come with that (especially for her in Tehran). I love the idea of the portal – stepping into the darkened container and making a connection with someone overseas. I love how successful the portal is in connecting 2 strangers. We use technology all day long and yet we can still feel a disconnect. The portal, in its simplicity, defies that. Thank you! Jessica"

“Today is my 46th birthday so I wanted to do something special to mark the day so here I am! It’s such a great idea to connect people from different parts of the world. I really enjoyed my conversation my partner in Iran is a 3rd year engineering student who plays blues guitar! We exchanged contact info so I look forward to continuing the conversation in the future. Thanks so much for setting this up. I’ll never forget this day!” 

"Last night, prior to entering the portal, I spoke to a friend about what I was doing today and he led me to a chat website, Omegle, were somewhat similarly to portal strangers meet. Unlike Portals, they meet for a variety of different motives, some flashing, in an altogether different concept. Not much respect, lots of inappropriate things, sex, trash talk etc. With Portal, the medium itself is of far more interest. Internet communications have allowed people to do this for years, but the context of the internet leads for a centre of profanity. By removing this technology from that context and placing it in “art” and making a physical space, Portal invents a purer experience. -Henry Wolf"

"The Portal worked perfectly, like magic, I was transported to the life of a young photographer who is propelling herself toward studies in the US. We soon swapped stories of our travels and interests and as cliché as it sounds, we are all one community. I look forward to staying connected with this lovely and talented woman. Carol"