By: Nicole D’settēmi
Before we can bid 5 Pointz a proper goodbye, I believe we should understand it for what it is, how it developed, and why. So, what is 5 Pointz?
Introduced by it’s website as The Institute of Higher Burning, they go 
on to define it as the “Aerosol Art Center, Inc.; an outdoor art exhibit space in Long Island City, New York, considered to be the world’s premiere “graffiti Mecca,” where aerosol artists from around the globe paint colorful pieces on the walls of a 200,000-square-foot factory building.”
Everybody knows that the phrase “5 Pointz” signifies the adjoining of the five boroughs, but because of its reputation as an epicenter of the graffiti scene, the small-time artistic colony also once united aerosol artists from across the world. Renowned writers from Canada, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Japan, Brazil, and all over the United States painted on the building walls, including Stay High 149, Tracy 168, Cope2, Part, and Tats Cru. Over the past decade, the striking, graffiti-covered warehouse has also attracted a variety of hip-hop and R&B stars, including Doug E. Fresh, Kurtis Blow, Grandmaster Kaz, Mobb Deep, Rahzel, DJ JS-1, Boot Camp Clik, Joan Jett, and Joss Stone, to name a few. 5Pointz visitors were able to witness appearances by prominent artists, musicians, deejays, Emcees (rappers), and B-boys (break dancers) on site, in addition to filmmakers, photographers, and entire tour buses full of admirers absorbing the more than 350 Technicolor murals.
With such an awesome and credible history what made it’s founder decide to cease control? When I researched what happened, quickly I was informed that city council voted to have the buildings painted white to then turn into apartments. I learned that The Long Island City building is set to be demolished by the end of this year, to welcome a pairing of luxury apartments. The redevelopment was approved overwhelmingly by City Council in October. I also learned that many sought to stop the building’s destruction, filing a request for an injunction based on the Visual Artists Rights Act; which protects works of art that have “recognized stature.” Unfortunately, Federal Judge Federic Block officially rejected their injunction, allowing for the demolition plans to move ahead. Owner Jerry Wolkoff said he allowed the artists to spray over his building for decades. Fortunately, Panels will be placed on the outside of the two new residential towers to allow for aerosol art, he claims. He welcomes them when he builds the new buildings, going as far as to say the graffitists have tremendous talent, and he looks forward to it.
After my brief but memorable experience with the buildings, I certainly hope so.
I gaze at the last standing piece of art, with me standing next to it; a skull and bones, with fire. The freedom of expression is one of America’s most appealing attributes, so in this particular situation, it seems many have forgotten that. The skull-and-fire piece, which was the last piece standing as far as I could see, was quite a vision of it’s own; a declaration of the rebellious creative spirit that once was! Ironically, now the skull, fire, and bones are almost a farewell bid in the direction of creative rebellion.
If you are to visit the 5Pointz today, the area is covered no-more with visual expression from hip-hop royalty. The only thing left in fact, is industrial painters, trucks, equipment, and of course, people everywhere taking pictures. News teams, individuals, who knows—maybe even an artist or two scurry around aimlessly. Yet, any artist should feel deep disappointment over the demise of this little colony, of graffiti at it’s finest. I know I do. It highlights in the starkest light, how little modern art is truly valued and appreciated, if not anything else. I only hope that the last of the art, as displayed in some of my photographs, can at very least inspire something in everyone who is reading this; a sort of last wooha for our readers, if you will.
In ending, I’d like to extend a sincere message of gratitude to the artists who dedicated their time and creativity to build 5 Pointz into what it was, for all of those years. The City was lucky to have such an awesome attraction. To all of you–the graffitists: you are true artists who should be celebrated in some way, forever. 5 Pointz will be missed dearly.