5 Pointz
http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2014/11/5pointzprotest_web_2014_03_14_q.html
Located at at 22-44 Jackson Ave. in Long Island City, 5 Pontz (also known as the Institute of Higher Burning) and the Graffitti Mecca was whitewashed overnight on November 19, 2013. The abandoned warehouse also considered to be a landmark among many was used by internaitonal graffitti artists to create work ranging up to 200,000-square-feet, and simultaneously featured 350 murals. Another factor that makes 5 Pointz important is the fact that it once housed Crane Street Studios: utilized by 200 artists and costing less than the average market prices for studio space. in 2009 it was estimated that a 450 square foot studio cost $600 in rent. Originally founded in 1993 by Pat DiLillo, through a program called Graffitti Terminators, with a mission of providing street artists with a formally display their art work: some important artists who have featured their work at 5 Pointz have been Stay High 149, Cope2, Part, TAT CRU, and SPE. It is interesting to note that the name of 5 Pointz is symbolic of artists from each of the 5 boroughs merging together to create art, however 5 Pointz has been fortunate to feature international artists from Japan, Brazil, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Canada. Sadly, the New York City Planning Commission took a unanimous vote to consent to building condos where 5Pointz now stands. David Walker, the developer of this project is planning to demolish the building entirely. This $400 million plan was approved in October by the New York City Council in order for a the creation of 1,000 apartments and 210 housing untis, although ground level facades will still be used by curated artists. The art communtiy has been enraged since the whitewashing of 5Pointz and in a bold statement of retaliation artists from Brooklyn known as gilf! and BAMN (By any means necessary) hung a yellow caution tape banner across the building on which reads “Gentrification in Progress”. Unfortunately the banner was removed Monday, but it has been nice to see some artists taking the initiation to retaliate. I was lucky enough to visit 5 Pointz several weeks before the whitewashing, and would like to share with you some of the amazing art wor that was on display. I hope that a stronger petition will emerge, and I hope that New York will not lose such a beloved landmark, influential both for its art work and its history and culture.
I remember driving by Five Pointz a couple of months ago and wondering why a lot of the graffiti was covered in white paint. Makes sense now. Also, why would they need to cover up the graffiti if they’re demolishing the building anyway? It’s really sad to see such an interesting and unique aspect of the neighborhood being replaced.
Lillian, did you take these pictures yourself? Nice!
What are people’s thoughts about the difference between graffiti, tagging, and murals? Is there a difference? If so, who decides what’s what and what does it all have to do with neighborhood change and neighborhood character and identity?
Woah, those pictures look really amazing! I’m surprised that they’d cover up something as artistic and grand as this work. It’s too bad I’ve never heard of it until it’s already been covered up. I heard a while ago that in I think another country, maybe Canada, people caught doing graffiti are sometimes assigned to put their abilities to good work by creating things like this. There’s tons of other graffiti around that really can be considered vandalism, and the fact that they take the time to cover this up is sad.
It makes me sad that such a landmark had to be whitewashed. Still, it is being replaced so that literally thousands of people can have a place to live, and there will still be room for artists to come and continue their traidtion at 5pointz.
The pictures are very nice and show why 5pointz was so renowned. Instead of being upset that its time has finally come to an end, artists should instead rejoice that they had a chance to create such masterpieces for the public to view. There will always be more places for murals or graffiti – however one would classify these works. I don’t know who should be responsible for deciding what to do with this area but ultimately I believe this land is the property of NYC and if NYC needs more residential development, then 5pointz seems like a reasonable choice.