The suppression of absence
Posted on May 25, 2008
in art, experimental, technology

In 1890, Alexander Stanhope St George undertook one of the most ambitious excavation projects in all of history: an immense tunnel connecting New York City to London through the earth. But it would not allow physical travel from one end to the other. Dubbed the “telectroscope”, the tunnel would be a “device for the suppression of absence”, enabling viewers to visit the distant city without ever having to leave the island. Unfortunately, the project met a tragic end before completion, and was lost to the winds of history.
Until great-grandson Paul St George came along.
Now, with the help of UK art organization Artichoke (see: The Little Girl Giant), the grand idea has come to fruition. From May 22 to June 15 at Fulton Ferry Landing in Brooklyn or Tower Bridge in London, you can experience the majesty of these sister cities without ever leaving the safety of solid ground.
Oh, yes, it’s free and open 24 hours a day.
SPOILER ALERT: Yes, it is fake. It’s an art project, get it?
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