Help Save a Cultural Landmark From Being Torn Down!

The 5 Pointz Aerosol Art Center, is a unique  outdoor art exhibit space in Long Island City, New York.  It’s a living, breathing, ever-changing three dimensional canvas.  A true urban art park that came into being organically, and would be impossible to recreate.

And it is in danger of being torn down. 

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We want to save Five Pointz and You Can Help!  Here is our first of a series of upcoming articles about this amazing artistic landmark.

For over a decade, 5 Pointz has featured spectacular pieces of art from  street/aerosol artists from around the world with over 200,000 square feet of building space as its canvas.  5 Pointz is one of, if not the only, place left in New York City for such artists to openly develop, harness and present their craft and their passion.

As we reported  last June, David Wolkoff, whose family owns the space, announced last year plans to tear down 5 Pointz and replace it with two high rise condos.  5 Pointz was scheduled for demolition this fall, but The Interrobang has learned that those plans have been delayed and put on hold, so  5 Pointz will be around for the time being, but without designation as a cultural landmark, this extraordinary space remains endangered.

Jonathan Cohen, best known by his signature tag name ‘Meres’, is the founder and curator of 5 Pointz.  Meres interest in graffiti started when he was 13, and by the time he graduated from The Fashion Institute Of Technology, he made a successful transition from tagging and throw-ups to full blown art murals.  His work has been featured throughout New York City, the East Coast and overseas.  Meres wants to convert the space into a graffiti museum, get 501(c)3 certification (which would grant 5 Pointz tax-exempt status and allow tax-deductible donations) and open a school for the next generation of aspiring artists.

The graffiti culture that emerged in the 70’s and 80’s, played a key role in the development of the hip hop, punk and reggae scenes that emerged in the New York City area and later, around the world.  Graffiti also evolved as a means of personal expression, as viable source of political protest, and has been used as key pieces in album art and fashion.  Today’s skateboarding scene uses graffiti and aerosol art as the basis for everything from board design, to clothing and sneakers.  Two of the most noted artists of the last 30 years – Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring – were direct byproducts of the graffiti culture.

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A grassroots campaign to have 5 Pointz designated as a New York City landmark is underway.  The goal is to present over half a million requests to The Landmark Preservation Commission for consideration.  Here’s how you can help:

  • If you’re in the NYC area or planning to visit, visit 5 Pointz and check out the art that’s already up or the art that is being created.  They are open weekends from noon to 7pm.  You can go to www.5ptz.com for directions and additional info.  Photos don’t do the place justice: It’s AMAZING to see up close.

There are very few reminders of the New York City counterculture scene left.  Many of its mainstays and institutions are gone.  Let’s save 5 Pointz!  See more in our first piece highlighting 5 Points.

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