but... don't they do this for like, every museum exhibit? usually you need tickets to get it. it's not so much irony as it is standard procedure with exhibits
This isn't a museum exhibit. It started as a 24/7 live stream on public property outside of a museum for people to voice anti-Annoying Orange sentiments.
Obviously leaving a 24/7 live stream anywhere public is a terrible idea. Once 4chan found out about it, they started going in person to deliver pro-Annoying Orange messages on the camera.
Shia got butthurt and assaulted someone doing just that, went to jail, and then they put up the fence.
Tl;Dr live stream intended to be the voice of the public says things Shia doesn't like, he goes apestuff and goes to jail, and then builds a wall around his camera and stars vetting people before letting them in.