I remember when I was younger, every time the train rumbled by 5pointz I would run to the window to catch a glimpse of the brightly covered walls, full of graffiti. Located in Long Island City, 5 Pointz is known all around the globe for it’s unique street art. Although graffiti is considered illegal in New York, this specific location as well as another 5 pointz in brooklyn, is free from the grasp of those laws. 5 Pointz in Long Island City consists of a large abandoned building that is covered by street art.
Public Art in New York City is extremely vital because it brings visual excitement. Public art is a great opportunity for all new yorkers to view free art and excite them about art around the city. Public art is also a great opportunity for artists who want their work recognized and view by thousands of people out in the open. This is the epitome of 5 pointz. Created in 1993, 5 pointz does not just allow any person off the street to paint the works of art on the walls. Although not obvious, each and every piece of graffiti is placed strategically and there is meaning behind each piece. I discovered 5 pointz after seeing it out the window from the 7 train, low and behold, this is exactly what 5 pointz aims to accomplish.
The site of 5 pointz was picked very strategically, why else would they pick an abandoned building all the way out in long island city. However thousands among thousands of people take the 7 trains to and from work, school and home everyday. The 7 train is almost like a quick aerial tour of 5 pointz. Many people are able to observe the piece of graffiti as they are traveling. This gives the street artists the exposure they need to become more high profile and gives they a huge platform to show off their work. The people who take notice of this bright building are also given their daily dose of Public Art.
Most people think of graffiti as the ugly scrabbling on the walls on the highways or a random building but this is not the type of graffiti that is put on display at 5 pointz. Many street artist take months to complete these projects because they are so intricate. There are different styles of graffiti that are shown through out 5 pointz. The most common type would be “tagging” or what many people refer to as vandalism. Just a name sprayed quickly across a surface. The second type is wheat paste paper graffiti which is a type pf poster that is easily thrown on a wall and posted. Then there is stenciling which is placed on a surface and then sprayed over. At 5 pointz, you will see large murals of extremely detailed aerosol spray paintings.
5 pointz is a world recognized place for graffiti artists. At this site specific place, graffiti is treated as a high class art. Only to find out that the city is fighting to destroy 5pointz and build luxury condominiums. I don’t know about you but I would rather see a place where the art of graffiti painting and international bonds are created rather than another glass tower.
