The debate on graffiti concerning its legitimacy as urban street art has been highlighted in New York City in recent events. The controversial work of the United Kingdom-based Banksy as well as the taking down of 5Pointz, an iconic exhibit, has made graffiti a hot topic. The ability of graffiti to spread political messages and provoke thought has allowed for expression all over the city, from The Bronx to Coney Island. Yet ownership is called into question when works of graffiti are taken down; while the owners of such buildings have the rights to their properties, what happens when a display catches recognition to the extent of 5Pointz? At certain points people hold meaning and history in such collections of work.

Graffiti is eye catching and thus, an effective way for artists to spread their opinions. They make political statements, often involving depictions of soldiers and political figures. Graffiti itself can be perceived as a political statement, a downfall of its easy publicity being its role as vandalism and a mark of crime. On a national scale graffiti is often used as a way of political protest. The work of select famous street artists can be particularly influential; one exceptional case is Banksy, a visiting artist who has incited much praise and criticism during his stay in New York. His presence even made a statement of social criticism: people scrambled in a mob-like fashion to jump on the Banksy bandwagon, creating a brand name allure of his moniker. The glorification of such artists and their work allows them to reach a variety of audiences beyond where their art can directly be seen; word of Banksy’s stencils have been the talk of New York City all throughout the month of October 2013.

Besides its significance in relaying social and political statements, graffiti has also gained meaning for its aesthetics. On the morning of October 19^th, 2013, many residents were shocked and disappointed to wake up to large portions of 5Pointz having been whited out overnight. The owner of 5Pointz property, Jerry Wolkoff, thought tearing down the walls as they were would have been rubbing salt in existing wounds. However, the whiting out of the building’s surface evoked a negative reaction from many of the site’s supporters. The work of hundreds of artists was apparently painted over. One street artist, Just, cited a deeper meaning in the hurt reaction to the taking down of 5Pointz: “This is not just about graffiti — it’s about the unity of people who met here from all over the world.” Soon afterwards criticism appeared on the whited over walls by opponents of Wolkoff’s decision.

The feelings of entitlement are not new, as the destruction of 5Pointz for the location’s intended two towering apartment buildings had been opposed for months. Marie Flageul, a spokeswoman for 5Pointz, reasoned, “He gave us the wall for free, but we have put tremendous amount of work in it for the past 11 years and contributed to putting Long Island City on the map.” Many believe that it had become a historic icon with attempts to have the buildings made a landmark status but were denied by the Landmarks Preservation Commission for its lack of architectural significance and young age of its artwork. A lawsuit had even been filed in October by the group behind 5Pointz, citing a violation of the 1990 Visual Artists Rights Act. They were turned down later that month and Wolkoff’s plan was approved.

Wolkoff reinforced that graffiti was ephemeral and reassured artists that there would be space for new work around in plans for the building. While 5Pointz holds a special place in the hearts of many New Yorkers, graffiti has transformed neighborhoods of other parts of the city. The many tags in Bushwick had been a constant reminder for Joseph Ficalora of his negative childhood experiences growing up in a rough neighborhood. Ficalora, a business and factory owner, invited street artists to paint on his space. The past few years have given way the creation of many murals that now make up the Bushwick Collective. Ficalora was able to turn graffiti in his neighborhood around from a mark of crime to a display of creativity that decorates streets that used to hold bad memories.

Like any other form of art, graffiti has the power to influence viewers and transform society. Also like many other forms of art, graffiti is controversial and its notoriety is a double edged sword. Ultimately property ownership is enforced but street art will continue to pop up as a presence that has much momentum in the urban setting of New York City. It exposes people of all ages and backgrounds to art and adds to the culture and history of the city. While 5Pointz reached a prominent status, street art will continue to live in many forms.

 

 

 

Bibligraphy

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